Seattle Union Gospel Mission

We are extremely excited to be heading to Seattle this week not only to be a part of another great Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon presented by Competitor Group but to also work with the Seattle Union Gospel Mission as the recipient of all the shoes we collect over three days of being in town.  The Mission is the only shelter in King County that offers 3 meals a day, 7 days a week and averages 1200 meals a day.  The statistics for King County are alarming:

Homelessness in King County…

• Over 8,961 people are homeless on any given night in King County
• Children under the age of 18 make up 33 percent of the shelter and transitional housing population
• Over 21 percent of the homeless population have experienced domestic violence
• 18 percent of people living in shelters and transitional programs in King County are employed
• 48 percent of the shelter population has been homeless one year or longer
• 30 percent of homeless people sleeping outside spend the night in their cars.
• In Seattle, the cost of supportive housing was estimated at $26 per person per day, in contrast with $87.67 for a day in jail, $555 for mental hospitals and $2,184 for hospitals

It is obvious there is a need for helping those on the streets of Seattle and the surrounding areas.  We know from talking with our contacts at the shelter that shoes will get used. Everyone knows that Seattle is damp and wet place to live; let alone having to do it on the streets…bare foot.  Spring rain brings beautiful flowers but for those living on the street it means wet, sore and badly blistered feet.  Brian, one of the men who frequents the shelter for meals, was heard saying, “Our feet get really chewed up”.

Man on streets of Seattle without shoes

We have an incredible opportunity this week to really make a difference and work to provide 8900 people on the streets with moderately worn shoes. We will be collecting shoes at the Health and Fitness Expo taking place at Qwest Event Center Thursday June 24th 11am-7pm and Friday 25th 10am-7pm.  We ask that you wash your shoes prior to donating them if possible, but not required.  We will accept all moderately worn men, women and children’s shoes.

Join us in making sure that every person in our country has a pair of shoes.  While housing continues to be the main issue when it comes to homelessness, so is helping people get back on their feet.  In order to do so, we must work together to give them something to stand in.

Give Your Sole had great success at the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon for our first event and now will be in Chicago!  All the moderately worn athletic shoes that are donated will go to help those in need at the MorningStar Mission in Joliet, Il.  MorningStar Mission is a non-denominational organization dedicated to relieving the spiritual and physical hunger of the poor.

With your help, we hope to really make a difference in the lives of those that are less fortunate in the surrounding Chicago areas.  The summers in Chicago are incredible but remember the winters are FREEZING.  Now imagine it without shoes on your feet.  So go dig in your closet, dig in your kids closet, and you guys – go dig in the garage and bring us all your moderately worn shoes so we can get them to the people that can use them.  Look for the event information by clicking on the “Events” tab located above.  See you there!

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me…

Matthew 25:35-36

The Association of Gospel Rescue Missions is a wonderful organization that makes it their mission to proclaim the passion of Jesus toward the hungry, homeless, abused and addicted.  The AGRM has a chapter located in every major city nationwide including San Diego.  Give Your Sole is pleased to be teaming up with the San Diego Rescue Mission who will be distributing the shoes that will be collected at the San Diego Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon.  Every pair of shoes donated during the expo and on race day will go to those who are less fortunate within the San Diego Community.  Not everyone has a calling to work in a rescue mission but all of us have been given a heart to help those in need.  Your shoe size is the perfect fit for someone so gather as many pairs as you can and donate them at the race!

“The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:40

Giving done in 4 Easy Steps:

Step 1 – Find out what events we are attending by clicking on the Event Calendar under Categories.

Step 2 – Donate at the Expo: bring your moderately worn shoes to our booth and we will be happy to take them off your hands….AND FEET!

Step 3 – Donate on Race Day: After the race, after receiving your medal, once you have had a nice cold drink, come by our booth and donate those mile challenged pair of shoes to GIVE YOUR SOLE.  For such a kind gesture we will give you a custom pair of GIVE YOUR SOLE flip flops so you don’t go home bare foot.

Step 4 – Give yourself a pat on the back for just finishing a race and giving to a great cause!