COLUMBIA, S.C. — If you're still doing spring cleaning, a Midlands non-profit could use your help.
Keep the Midlands Beautiful is looking for new or gently used shoes to send overseas to developing countries. The non-profit is collecting and bagging thousands of pairs of shoes from across the area to help support families globally.
"We do 25 shoes per bag. Each pair gets rubber banded, heel to heel," said Adriana Diotalevi, program manager for Keep the Midlands Beautiful.
It's their annual fundraiser, which started in March. Over the past 10 years, they've raised over $14,000 for their non-profit while supporting small businesses in developing countries.
Keep the Midlands Beautiful partnered with Funds2Orgs to make this all possible.
"We pay any non-profit, civic group, church, whoever, we pay them by the pound for all the shoes collected," said Chief Marketing Officer Kristy Morris with Funds2Orgs." "These shoes actually help support micro-enterprises in over 24 different countries. Specifically, we work with over 4,000 families across these countries. And they are sold to them at a very, very cheap rate where they are then used as inventory for their own small micro-businesses."
Diotalevi said they've collected about 3,000 pairs so far.
"We like to do it around this time cause it's a good way to convince others to do a spring cleanout of their closets, get rid of any shoes that they might not want anymore and someone might need," Diotalevi said.
Julie Lott, lead of the environmental stewardship team at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, said the church has been donating for years and gave over 330 pairs this year.
"Everybody knows to expect, don't throw shoes out until the spring and then bring them to church and we can help out," Lott said.
Diotalevi said not only does this fundraiser help Keep the Midlands Beautiful and small businesses in developing countries, but it's also good for the environment.
"It keeps our shoes out of the landfill, and it helps small businesses that need inventory. It's also just a good way to remind people to recycle the things they don't use anymore," Diotalevi said.
She adds their goal is to collect 1,000 more pairs before the end of the month.
If you'd like to drop off some shoes, you can do so anytime until May 31, 2024, at the Keep the Midlands Beautiful office at 1305 Augusta Rd. The group has two green bins on its porch for drop-off. If you donate after the end of May, the non-profit said they'll keep the shoes for next year's drive.