NASHVILLE, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#giveshoesgivelove–Soles4Souls, the Nashville-based global nonprofit, is celebrating a year of impact in 2023, as it turns shoes and clothing into opportunities for education, employment, and more hopeful futures for those in need.
Since its founding in 2006, Soles4Souls has distributed 94 million pairs of shoes and pieces of clothing to children and adults in 138 countries and all 50 United States. To date, it has created more than $600 million in economic impact, which is the monetary value created for the communities it serves every time shoes, clothing, or accessories are sold or distributed.
In 2023, Soles4Souls hit major milestones with the assistance of its supporters and partners:
- 5.5 million pairs of shoes distributed
- 4.8 million pieces of clothing distributed
- 9.2 million pounds of product diverted from landfills
- Total economic impact of $69,382,932 for 2023
“Our first impact lens is always, ‘how does this matter to the people we serve?’ It’s hard, and imperfect, but we do our best to translate that into numbers that give our donors and partners confidence that we’re putting their shoes, clothes, and financial contributions to the highest use for the most people,” said Buddy Teaster, Soles4Souls CEO and President. “For us, economic impact is our ‘north star’ and we use it every day to guide our decisions.”
Teaster leads a team of 78 employees, which includes the executive leadership and the managers that run its various warehouses worldwide.
Through its four main programs, Soles4Souls addresses needs around the world with the goal of positive, sustainable outreach.
- 4EveryKid – Soles4Souls partners with schools across the U.S. to get new athletic shoes to children who are experiencing homelessness, eliminating a barrier to educational and extracurricular opportunities.
- 4Opportunity – Soles4Souls sells and distributes shoes and clothing through its international partners to help people build small businesses.
- 4Relief – Soles4Souls helps get new shoes and clothing to people in crisis situations, freeing up financial resources they can use toward other needs.
- 4ThePlanet – Soles4Souls cares for the planet and its people by extending the life of shoes and clothing that might otherwise be prematurely discarded.
For more information on the global and local impact of Soles4Souls and to learn more about how you can help those in need, visit soles4souls.org.
About Soles4Souls
Soles4Souls turns shoes and clothing into educational and economic opportunities. Our programs, 4Opportunity, 4Relief, and 4EveryKid, aim to make a positive difference on the planet and in people’s economic, educational, physical, and psychosocial well-being. Since 2006, more than 94 million pairs of shoes and pieces of clothing have helped create opportunities for people across 138 countries. Soles4Souls is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, with Regional Donation Centers and warehouse locations around the world. Visit soles4souls.org for more information.
Contacts
Jamie Ellis [email protected]
Kelly Brockman [email protected]
