A step to help: 4-H club collecting shoes to donate to others

Published 11:08 am Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Don’t throw those old shoes away — they might help feed your neighbor.

The Rock Solid 4-H Club is once again collecting gently used or junk shoes through April 10. Either type of shoe can be sold and proceeds from the “Shoe Away Hunger” program will be donated to help  stock local food shelves.

The group decided to hold another shoe drive when interest was shown by citizens, said leader Karla Muller. About 25 4-H members are involved in the drive.

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“All the money helps feed hungry Minnesota families — and we think every family should have food,” said club president Sarah Hecimovich, 14. “I think it’s a good cause.”

Fellow 4-Her Lydia Drees agreed.

The “Shoe Away Hunger” drive by the Rock Solid 4-H Club goes through April 10.

The “Shoe Away Hunger” drive by the Rock Solid 4-H Club goes through April 10.

“It helps people, and it’s a great, simple and easy way to raise money for food — and, everyone has old shoes,” she said.

4-H families each have a collection container to oversee, emptying and bagging shoes as needed. The shoes are collected and sent to a church in the Twin Cities.

Last year, said Muller, two trips with a 10-foot trailer “filled front to back, top to bottom with shoes,” was delivered.

“In the past, we have delivered a ton of shoes,” she said.

Gently-used shoes are sold, junk shoes are ground and used as a stuffing material.

The program helps put food on the table, but it also has another benefit, said Isaac Davis, 16.

“It’s a program that’s easy to get people involved, but it is also eco-friendly, keeping a lot of shoes out of landfills,” he said.

Containers will be located at Sterling Main Street, Queen of Angels Catholic Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Faith Church, Acclaim Studio of Dance, the Mower County 4-H building and First Baptist Church in Blooming Prairie.

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