On March 21, a shoe drive began at Calvin College through the honors program. The honors program partnered with a ministry called Soles For Jesus to send donated shoes to various remote regions of Africa.The drive lasted two weeks during which students were able to drop off new or used shoes at three different locations around Calvin to aid in the cause.

The students in charge of the drive advertised the event in Student News and on social media before spring break so that any students who were going home during their week off could come back with their outgrown or unwanted shoes . The organization was happy to accept shoes of all sizes and styles, as long as the shoes were wearable and practical for those receiving them.

Soles For Jesus and the honors program’s joint mission was to bring shoes to individuals in the  parts of Africa where walking barefoot puts people at risk of foot trauma and disease and limits their ability to attend work or school.

The three locations available for shoe drop off were: the honors office, the biology department and the history department. The honors program also kindly requested that students helped compensate for the shipping charges by donating $1 per pair they gave away. This effort helped decrease the use of the organization’s funds on shipping and handling costs.

The department gave away prizes to any student who donated two or more pairs of shoes and helped with the shipping costs as well.

Soles For Jesus is an organization based in Milwaukee, Wis. The organization had a global focus that the students of the honors program appreciated and had a passion for as well. This partnership is one that they hope will continue for future shoe drives.

Since Soles For Jesus started, it has sent over 241,000 pairs of shoes to different regions of Africa. With Calvin’s help, the number has increased significantly.

Going into the project, the honors program had a passion for global service and a want to begin helping solve a part of that issue within the Calvin community. Now, with the project completed, the honors program has initiated a new partnership for the Calvin community to become involved in. Not only are students being called to action in a way that is simple and easy for them to participate, but they are also able to connect with the organization and see where their shoes are going and how they made a difference.

For more information on Soles For Jesus, visit their website at www.solesforjesus.org. If you would like to hear more about the shoe drive , please contact Manda Mosoiu at [email protected].