The Most Asked Question - WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SHOES?
Post-Covid and the “New Normal”
“Progress is impossible without change…” - George Bernard Shaw
If you’re anything like me, you are tired of the phrase, “new normal.” But it really does sum up so much.
BIG CHANGES - Beginning in July 2019, we were challenged with making some tough decisions on the future of Shoes & Hope and where the shoe collection fit in. We were already aware of changes in the demand for used shoes, an unreliable resource for purchasing the shoes, and a lower price being paid for the shoes. Then Covid-19 hit and it was very clear that we needed to phase out of shoe collection. We realized that it was no longer a feasible model for fundraising.
Some people would tease that without shoes, is there only hope? The answer is YES! There is still hope even without the shoes! We are looking forward to seeing what the future holds. We are committed to our team in Guatemala and the projects in the pipeline. We continue to work with our team and are continually evaluating where we feel called to serve.
Although we are generally focused on Asset Based Community Development, 2020 saw us “pivoting” (another cringy word but it really does sum it up), to continue our mission of “life’s basic necessities”. In 2020. 2021 and 2022, life’s basic necessities included a critical need for food assistance. Because of the pandemic, there was very little opportunity for income and families literally had no money for food to feed their families. Along with our sister organization Guatemala Outreach, we have been able to provide food assistance through food packs to hundreds of families. Food packs include 10 pounds of beans, 100 pounds of corn, 5 pounds of rice, 5 pounds of sugar, 2 Incaparina, 2 Oat Milk and 1/2 gallon of corn oil. Thank you for continuing to support the mission.
We continue looking to the future and what is waiting in the shoeless chapter of Shoes & Hope. Looking forward to continuing this journey with you.