After the services on Sunday, August 28th, several parishioners asked if we would be willing to support the A is for Africa group in their effort to collect shoes. Here is a quick how it works;
- You put your old, worn out or unwanted shoes in the collection box in St. James’ Narthex,
- The Outreach Committee gets them delivered to the A is for Africa group, and
- Boom !! We have, once again, made a difference in the world!
Yes, your old shoes have life-changing impact! Shoes that you no longer want or wear can be used to create sustainable economic means in countries where there is little hope. In the US alone, approximately 600 million pairs of shoes are thrown away each year. To top that off, the materials used to manufacture these shoes will create health hazards if left in landfills. Ugh, we all know how important it is to do everything we can to leave a “smaller foot print” on our children’s world. Instead, these shoes can be used in developing nations for impoverished people to start, maintain, and grow a micro-enterprise. Because of this opportunity, individuals are able to feed, clothe, and house their families. Collected shoes are repaired or melted down to make new shoes. A is for Africa will receive $0.40/pound for your old shoes! A is for Africa has a goal to collect 2,000 pairs of shoes. Let’s see if we can’t help them meet their goal.