Cornerstone Church, located in the Sterling Shopping Center, is in the midst of a three-week shoe drive for underserved people in sub-Saharan Africa.

There will be large bins on the sidewalk of the church from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Friday, Sept. 20, where the public can drop off shoes. They are collecting new and gently used shoes, youth sizes through adult size 12 (no used flip flops or boots).

A highlight of the shoe collection will be held on Sunday, Sept. 15 with a ladies event hosted by the women’s ministry of Cornerstone Church called “just Be…BAREFOOT!” It begins at 5 p.m. with free pedicures and foot massages with all tips benefiting the organization Soles for Jesus, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis. They will also hear from the Soles for Jesus founder, Diane Studer, about her thriving mission to provide shoes for people in Africa. Ladies are invited to come wearing a pair of shoes to donate and leave barefoot.

“Shoes are something we take for granted here in the U.S.,” Pastor Dave Simerson, lead pastor at Cornerstone Church, said, In Africa, shoes are required to attend school, perform jobs, and prevent against disease and injuries. We are excited to partner with an organization to not only provide shoes, but also opportunity and education to underserved people in Africa. It is our goal to send 1,000 pairs of shoes from Austin, Minn., to Africa.”

For further information, please contact Cornerstone Church at 507-433-7008.