News Summary
The Midlands’ annual shoe drive, organized by Keep the Midlands Beautiful, encourages residents to donate used shoes until the end of May. The drive aims to collect between 5,500 and 6,500 pairs to support community cleanup efforts and assist micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries. Collected shoes will help prevent landfill waste and generate funds for local cleanup supplies, enhancing the community’s aesthetics. Drop-off locations are available throughout Lexington and Richland counties, providing an opportunity for residents to contribute to a cleaner environment.
West Columbia, SC – Keep the Midlands Beautiful is launching its annual shoe drive, which is set to run until the end of May. The initiative encourages residents to donate used shoes, contributing to community cleanup efforts and global outreach. The goal of the drive is to collect between 5,500 and 6,500 pairs of shoes, a target that has been met in previous years.
The donations from this annual shoe drive are pivotal in advancing the nonprofit’s mission of achieving cleaner and greener neighborhoods within Lexington and Richland counties. The executive director of the organization emphasized that this initiative not only helps to keep used footwear out of local landfills but also supports community members who may not have access to new shoes.
All collected shoes will be sent overseas through a partnership with an organization called Funds2Orgs. This collaboration focuses on aiding micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries, allowing them to sell gently worn shoes in their local markets. This trade not only helps these entrepreneurs support their families but also fosters the establishment of small businesses in their communities.
The shoe drive has additional benefits for the Midlands. Funds generated from the initiative will be used to purchase essential cleanup supplies such as litter grabbers, safety vests, and reusable cloth gloves, which are provided at no cost to volunteers participating in community cleanup efforts. On average, the organization supports approximately 6,500 volunteers each year dedicated to litter cleanup.
To assist in the continual reduction of litter in the area, residents are encouraged to engage proactively by recycling properly and participating in local cleanup events. The organization is actively monitoring litter problems through litter audits, which have shown that rural regions often experience more visible litter challenges.
Residents wishing to participate in the shoe drive can drop off their donations at six designated public locations throughout Lexington and Richland counties. The main office in West Columbia serves as the primary drop-off point, making it convenient for residents to contribute their used footwear.
For those seeking further information about the shoe drive or general initiatives by Keep the Midlands Beautiful, detailed resources are available on the organization’s website.
By engaging in this annual shoe drive, residents of West Columbia and surrounding areas are not only decluttering their homes but also playing a vital role in the larger effort to enhance community aesthetics and support global entrepreneurship.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: Keep the Midlands Beautiful Shoe Donations
- ABC Columbia: Local Living Annual Shoe Drive Fundraiser
- Cola Today: Spring Cleaning Donations in Columbia
- Cola Daily: Irmo High School Concert Choir Performs at Carnegie Hall
- Count on 2: Where to Donate Supplies in the Wake of Hurricane Helene
- Wikipedia: Shoe Drive
- Google Search: Community Clean Up Initiatives
- Google Scholar: Litter Reduction Strategies
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community Service
- Google News: Shoe Donation Events
