By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
As students prepare to return to the classroom, the United Way of Eastern Utah is preparing for its annual ‘Soles2Souls’ pop-up shoe shop on Saturday, Aug. 16. Seeking to provide shoes to children across eastern Utah, this year’s rendition of the event will include a donated coat giveaway courtesy of Ascension St. Matthews Church.
United Way Executive Director Pam Boyd joined the KOAL newsroom to discuss the purpose behind the event and give a closer look at the finer details of the shoe shop.
“‘Soles2Souls’ is our effort to make an impact in the area of education. And you know, it’s one of the charges of United Way as an organization,” stated Boyd. “When you think about that, like, how can the little old United Way of Eastern Utah make an impact in kids’ lives that way? And we drilled down and came up with this idea that what if a kid heads off to school in a pair of shoes that don’t fit, or that have holes in them? They’re not going to be thinking about math and english. They’re going to be thinking about their feet. We can solve that problem. And that is what those pop-up shoe shops are all about.”
In May, the new Amazon distribution center donated 100 pairs of shoes to the cause, ensuring the event could be held. “We have been lucky. We didn’t know if it was going to come through this year because of the world situation, shipping and everything. But New Balance was able to come through with their shoes that are overstocked and discontinued. And so we, again, have New Balance shoes for older kids. You know, it’s men’s size five to 13 and women’s size six to 12.”
The impact goes beyond children having access to quality shoes as they enter the academic year, Boyd explained,” I’ve had kids tell me they were able to participate in school sports because they had those shoes. That’s a big impact you’re having on a kid’s life.”
Moving into the details of the event, Boyd shared that all parents need to bring is the child receiving the shoes,” They need to bring the children. We need those feet that were fitting for shoes to be there. And it’s great if those feet have socks on them. If they don’t, we have some socks there. But we’re going to measure feet, and we’re going to really not just hand over a pair of shoes. We’re going to hand over a pair of shoes that have been fitted and that are going to be good for you for a few months of growth time and just a quality shoe to start off your school year.”
This year, the Ascension St. Matthew’s church will be adding to the drive through a giveaway of donated coats. ” They have some gently used coats. They’ve laundered them, and they have them all looking great. And they will be handing those out as well. So we’re very excited to partner with them for that effort.”
“I tell volunteers if you’ve never been part of giving a brand-new pair of shoes to a kid, you’re not going to know how cool that is,” said Boyd. “It’s like they really do believe that they are going to jump higher and run faster in those new shoes. And it is just a wonderful thing.”
Closing our conversation, Boyd shared,” I’m just really excited to bring this event back. This will be the fourth year that we’re doing this. And it’s just turned into a great tradition that people appreciate.”
The United Way of Eastern Utah’s ‘Soles2Souls’ pop-up shoe shop will take place on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Price City Peace Gardens. For more information, you can contact the United Way at liveunited@uweu.org or by phone at 435-637-8911.
