“Progress is impossible without change…” - George Bernard Shaw
The Most Asked Question in recent years has been - WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SHOES?
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 or sustainable model for fundraising.
At the time, people would tease that without shoes, is there only hope? The answer is YES! There is still hope even without the shoes! We have remained committed to our team in Guatemala and the families in Quebrada de Agua that have come to mean so much. Because of the lasting effects of Covid-19, the years following (2020-2023) saw us continue our mission of “life’s basic necessities”. In 2020, 2021 and 2022, life’s basic necessities included a critical need for food assistance. Throughout that time, 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 were 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.