What types of shoes do we accept?
Redeeming Soles accepts all types of shoes: athletic, running, dress, heels, pumps, sandals, work boots, cleats, dance, flip flops, just as long as they are new or gently worn.
What used shoe conditions do you accept?
We ask that used shoes be gently worn and shoes that you would still wear. The soles and body should have no holes, laces intact, and clean (no mud). If your shoes don’t meet this please consider the shoe recycling programs available.
How do you prepare the shoes?
We ask that you tie the pairs together using the laces or rubber band in pairs. If they are new and in boxes please leave them in their box.
How much does it cost to distribute?
It currently costs us just over $1 per pair of shoes to collect, prepare, and distribute.
There is currently only 9,000 homeless in the Seattle area, why so many shoes?
With the wet weather in the Northwest shoes take a real beating. After one to two weeks of continually have soak and wet shoes and feet the homeless can have shoe mold and foot rot can set in, therefore replacements are needed. We not only distribute to the homeless but also are attempting to alleviate footwear and care problems with low income families and individuals.
Where do the shoes go?
There are over 150 organizations in Washington that offer clothing and footwear to the homeless and less fortunate, we are working to enable each organization to have a supply of shoes and footwear for their clients. Currently shoes are being delivered to organizations in Seattle, but as the inventory increases we expect to add more needy organizations in the Puget Sound area.