The Downtown YMCA will be holding our annual shoe drive beginning October 1st through the end of December, raising funds for our annual campaign and supporting local outreach programs. Last year our members and friends donated over 2,400 pairs of shoes, raising over $1,000 for the campaign. 

We are partnering with Funds2Orgs to collect gently used shoes for redistribution throughout the Funds2Orgs network of microenterprise partners in developing nations. 

Funds2Orgs helps impoverished people start, maintain and grow businesses. Donations from the shoe drive will be purchased from the YMCA by Funds2Orgs, and all donations will become inventory for small shop owners.

Proceeds from the shoe sales will be used to feed, clothe and house the shop owners’ families, according to the release.

The shoes we collect serve as a philanthropic bridge to give people a hand-up and work opportunity, rather than just a hand-out. Isn't that great!? 

Please bring your gently worn, used and new shoes to the Downtown Y, or any of our other branches so that we can help those in our community and those around the world.