Giving back is a core value at Grocer 4 Good in Sault Ste. Marie – and he lives up to his name, recently hosting a shoe drive for the less fortunate.
Over 200 pairs of adult shoes and over 60 children’s items were donated over much of the month.
The shoes, boots and sandals have already made their way to local organizations, who are in the process of getting them to the people who need them most.
The idea came from Grocer 4 Good supervisor Jay Marzec. Marzec also works at SOYA, a local social service group, where she noticed the need.
“We had people coming into the store who had nothing on their feet,” Marzec said.
“And we have over 300 people who come to SOYA who have nothing. So I kind of thought we could also donate that to SOYA at the same time.”
Lisa Vezeau-Allen of Grocer 4 Good said it was a good time of year for the initiative.
“Think about it. It’s September, it’s back to school, right?” Vezeau-Allen said.
“I think we all have these memories of going and getting new shoes for back to school. And just understanding there’s going to be a change in weather, so if someone just got flip flops for the summer , it’s not going to work on a cold autumn morning.
Grocer 4 Good is still accepting donations and will pass the shoes on to local agencies.