Local Drive to Collect “Shoes
for the Needy”
by Dr. Charles Morelli
 (
December 11, 2002) As a father of three daughters married
to a "soccer mom," I am keenly aware of how
shoes can take over one's home. If your closets are
crowded with outgrown or outmoded shoes, you may be
interested in Shoes
for the Needy, a program that collects
and distributes usable shoes to the disadvantaged and
the homeless.
All types of new and used shoes in
good condition are needed, especially heavy-duty shoes,
athletic shoes, walking shoes and children's shoes.
I am concerned that a lack of sturdy shoes creates critical
and debilitating foot problems for the homeless and
the needy. For many of these people, walking is the
main means of transportation.
My office at 910 East Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck
is serving as a central drop-off site for the collection
of usable shoes that will be distributed to those less
fortunate. Shoes can be mailed to our office, as well.
Many of the shoes will be distributed through the Mamaroneck
United Methodist Church and their scheduled "Midnight
Run" to New York City, and through other local
nonprofit organizations.
Bags of shoes are starting to show up at the office,
but there's room for many more. Previous drives by other
podiatrists have resulted in the collection and distribution
of more than 10,000 pairs of shoes throughout Westchester
County, parts of New York City and Long Island. Hundreds
of shoes are also shipped to Native Americans in the
Dakotas and to other parts of the country.
Now that the weather has turned cold and wet, the shoe
drive is more important than ever. If you find that
last year’s boots no longer fit your feet or your
fashion, “Shoes for the Needy” would be
glad to find them a new owner. The program’s motto
is “Let Someone Fill Your Shoes.”
Dr. Charles Morelli lives and practices podiatry
in Mamaroneck. For more information, call his office
at 835-6604.
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