Donations of Shoes Sought by Podiatrists

Take the first step and clean out your closets and give away those old shoes you’ll never wear again. Because if the shoes fit, there are people who will wear them.

Foot doctors from across Orange County are holding a shoe drive, collecting used shoes that will be distributed during Thanksgiving week to people in need.

“Many people have shoes they have never worn or have worn just a few times and now only take up space,” said Dr. Mark Sumers, a Lake Forest podiatrist who’s coordinating the shoe drive.

Sumers said people don’t have to go out and buy a new pair of shoes to donate: “They can take from what they have.”

But Sumers said new shoes will gladly be accepted and all kinds of shoes can be donated--from tennis shoes to dress shoes to children’s shoes.

And because it seemed like a natural charitable cause, the Orange County Podiatric Medical Assn. is sponsoring the program, with nearly 100 podiatrists collecting shoes at their offices.

Donations may also be dropped off at the Walking Store, which sells shoes and walking equipment, apparel and accessories at MainPlace Santa Ana. Shoes will be collected through Nov. 16.

Sumers said he hopes shoe donations will be in the thousands, and so far the response has been strong.

“People get a sense that it’s worthwhile because they know they’re going directly to the people who need them,” he said.

Sumers said the podiatrists are working with the Episcopal Service Alliance, which runs two shelters and five social service agencies in Orange County.

Ellen Gilchrist, program manager at the Episcopal Service Alliance in San Clemente, said there is a “great need for shoes.”

“I’ll definitely have no problem finding wearers for the shoes,” she said.

Gilchrist said children’s shoes are always in demand because shoes are expensive for parents to buy when they are living on shoestring budgets.

Homeless single men are also treading on worn-out shoes “probably because they walk so much,” she said.

And Gilchrist said it’s not uncommon that these folks wear shoes that are the wrong size. “I’ve seen people’s feet all twisted because they’re wearing a smaller size,” she said.

More information is available from the Orange County Podiatric Medical Assn., (714) 525-0385.