Your gently used shoes can make a difference! Bethlehem Lutheran Church is collecting 2,500 pairs of shoes to fund a new storage shed for our Really, Really Free Markets, where we share God’s abundance with our neighbors.
The Really, Really Free Markets, held each May and November at Bethlehem Lutheran, strengthen our Duneland community by creating a space where neighbors can give and receive freely. These markets help local families access essential items, reduce waste through reuse, and build meaningful connections between community members. The new storage shed will allow us to better organize and preserve donations between market events, helping us serve more neighbors in need.
Each pair helps us reach our goal while blessing others in our community! Together, we can make a lasting impact – one pair of shoes at a time.
Your donated shoes create opportunities for entrepreneurs in developing nations while promoting environmental sustainability. Here’s how your donation makes a difference:
Creating Economic Opportunities
In developing nations, an estimated 300 million people lack proper footwear, and many families live on as little as $2 per day. Through our program, your donated shoes become inventory for over 4,000 micro-entrepreneurs who sell them in their local communities at affordable prices.
These micro-enterprises, typically family-owned businesses run by one or two people, operate through small stalls, shacks, or brick-and-mortar shops in countries like Haiti, Cambodia, and Botswana. The majority of these businesses are women-owned, making this program particularly impactful for female entrepreneurs.
Global Impact
The impact of your donation extends far beyond individual entrepreneurs. Consider that:
– 70% of the global population (over 5 billion people) uses repurposed shoes and clothing
– The micro-enterprise industry represents one of the most effective ways to lift families out of poverty
– This program creates sustainable economic opportunities in regions with limited access to living-wage jobs
Environmental Benefits
Your donation also helps protect the environment. In the United States alone, over 600 million shoes end up in landfills annually. These shoes can:
– Take more than 80 years to decompose
– Release toxic chemicals into the air during decomposition
– Contribute to environmental degradation
By donating your gently worn shoes, you’re not just supporting global entrepreneurs—you’re also taking a stand for environmental sustainability.
