Small Project: Shoes That Fit

What this is

This is a small project that moves good shoes into the lives of people who need them. Not fashion shoes. Not “nice for later” shoes. Just shoes that fit, protect, and let people walk without pain or shame.

Sometimes it’s one pair.

Sometimes it’s a box.

Sometimes it’s enough to change someone’s whole week.

How it started

It began when a podiatrist saw what we were doing in the community and quietly started supplying shoes. He didn’t make a program out of it. He just said yes and kept saying yes.

From there, the shoes started moving—through homes, through churches, through other groups who knew who needed them.

What’s happening now

Right now, the need is rising again.

People are walking in worn-out shoes.

Kids are growing faster than families can keep up.

Some people avoid going out because their feet hurt or their shoes embarrass them.

We’re rebuilding the flow—finding suppliers again, reconnecting with partners, and relearning how to move shoes gently and well.

What it gives

It gives something simple:

The ability to walk without pain.

It gives dignity.

It gives movement.

It gives people one less thing to worry about.

What’s needed next

We need:

• Good-quality donated shoes
• Storage that keeps them clean and dry
• People who can sort, size, and pass them on
• Links with schools, shelters, and local groups

This only works when it stays human, not bureaucratic.

Where it’s heading

The hope is to make this steady again—so shoes just quietly arrive where they’re needed, without fanfare.

When it works well, you hardly notice it.

People just walk a little easier.

More small projects

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• Small Project: Starting a Rock Band (and Ending It Well)
• Small Project: Shoes That Fit
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