We Bring Relief
Since our founding in 2010, Shoes 4 the Shoeless has delivered brand-new gym shoes and socks to disadvantaged children within Southwest Ohio through our in-school delivery program. The need is still great, so our work continues.
Will you help us?
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Children Served in 20250
Ohio Counties0
SchoolsOur Story
It Starts Like Most Stories Out There
A few people recognized an overwhelming need and had to do something about it. Since then, countless volunteers and donors have stepped up to meet one of the biggest unmet health care needs for children in poverty.
Our shoes and socks bring relief, hope, encouragement, and comfort to local children in desperate need. With your help, we can make a difference!
Making a Meaningful ImpactThe Need Is Great.
The Need Is Great.
The Opportunity Is Greater.
In 2025, Shoes 4 The Shoeless served 21,000+ children with brand new shoes and socks. However, across our 21-county footprint, we estimate that 72,000 children are still in need.
That means we are currently reaching about 30% of the need.
Together, we can close the gap.
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Children Served in 20250
School & Community Partners0
Ohio Counties Served Across Our RegionGet to Know Us
It Takes a TEAM
To deliver thousands of shoes each year, it takes incredible planning and coordination. Get to know our Staff Team, our Board of Directors, and our Greater Cincinnati Advisory Council.
What's Going On?
Wondering what we've been up to lately?
Year-round we stay busy hosting events all over the Miami Valley and Greater Cincinnati area. If you would like to keep up with us and see our mission in action, be sure to follow us on our social spaces!
We no longer feel the urgency to raise awareness concerning the need we meet. Kids living in hard times need good gym shoes that fit and are fit to wear because the work of kids is play. It is a huge part of normal growth and development.![]()
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Unfortunately, for countless children, this need is never met. They grow up with permanently damaged feet. The results are sad and far-reaching.![]()
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Take a look at this story sent to us yesterday by an adult who donated shoes. She also sent a picture of her feet and told us to please share her story in hopes it can help the kids.![]()
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Kris, ![]()
I am helping you because I grew up with shoes that did not fit. I lived in a very well-to-do neighborhood with a mom who could not stand me because of a birth defect I have.![]()
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The toes on my feet are so jacked up, it is all I can do to stand for a shift at work.![]()
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I have to buy my shoes way too large to try to be comfortable. I am 45 yrs. old, and it is not possible to fix my feet at this point.![]()
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As a child, I could never run or play and enjoy life. As an adult, I cannot do something as simple as walking at Kings Island. I cannot work a full shift at work without sitting down throughout my time to take pressure off my feet. Even so, my legs and feet ache constantly.![]()
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My nails are extremely thick and gross from the many years of abuse, and should be trimmed professionally, but my insurance will not cover that. They also will not cover a second opinion from a podiatrist.![]()
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Feet carry you through life. I have learned lessons I will never forget.![]()
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My faith is unshakable. I may not be able to stand for a full shift at work without taking the pressure off of my feet. I may not be able to walk around a park, but I can stand tall in my faith, and make sure that, as long as there is breath in my lungs, I can scream from the mountaintops that God's got me.![]()
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I want to help you because the least I can do is try to help a child have a pair of shoes that fit, so they can hopefully not suffer and struggle as an adult as I do.![]()
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Kids should not have to walk this walk alone.![]()
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THIS is why we exist. ![]()
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Stay with us, please. We meet one of the biggest unmet health care needs for children living in hard tim#GoodnessAndMercymercy
These shoes were the only pair he owned. They were three sizes too big. There were no insoles left, and the bottoms were full of holes. Both insoles were partially detached at the toes. ![]()
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These are not just cosmetic issues; they are also physical, social, and emotional problems. Big ones.![]()
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He could not walk or run normally. His feet were cold and wet in bad weather. He was well aware of the odor, as was everyone around him. He was embarrassed and ashamed.![]()
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Last year, we reached over 21,000 children. Our eyes and hearts are set on even more this year. We are dreaming big.![]()
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Let us know if you would like to be a part of this incredible story by helping buy shoes, volunteering on a team to put shoes on kids, hosting sock drives, or all of the above!![]()
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You can email us at kris@shoes4theshoeless.org for more information, or check out the links below. Thank you!![]()
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shoes4theshoeless.org/give/![]()
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shoes4theshoeless.org/get-involved/![]()
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Stay with us, please.![]()
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#GoodnessAndMercy
In 2011, we became aware that many children in Preble and Darke Counties needed our help.![]()
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Our rural communities face deep needs like everyone else, but they also often struggle from a lack of resources to help.![]()
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I only knew two adults in those counties, and I knew it would take many more people to help. So, I relied on the two people I knew, made my first contact in a school, set a date, and held my breath.![]()
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I stood in the parking lot of our first Preble County school in 2012, and watched what felt like the whole community show up.![]()
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Since then, we have brought relief and happiness to thousands of children in those counties. Hundreds of high school students have participated in our Kids 4 Kids program.![]()
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And I have made lifelong friends, people like me who grew up in small towns with small-town values.![]()
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People who will even ask you to be on their Podcast.![]()
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When S4TS won the Pepsi Refresh competition in 2012, I was interviewed on NPR during the Super Bowl. They asked me how in the world we won. We were too small, too unknown, and not from one of the big cities or part of a huge corporation.![]()
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My answer was, "Where I come from, people still care about their neighbors and will work to help".![]()
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I had a great time talking with my friends from BeTempered on their podcast.![]()
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Take a listen.![]()
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@goodnessandmercy
Helping kids (and their moms) who are struggling is a privilege.![]()
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Stay with us, please.![]()
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#GoodnessAndMercy
Questions or Comments?
Get in Touch
If you know us, you know that we love talking about what we do and meeting new people. If you don’t know us, we’d love to talk with you! Whether you want to share an idea, talk about a need, or just say hi, we would love to hear from you.