Soles4Souls gives the needy the tools to move forward
Those attending the July 5 service at Media Church of the Nazarene will be leaving without some clothing.
For its second year, the congregation will be teaming up with Soles4Souls, a national nonprofit organization that collects new and gently used shoes, and doles them out to people around the world. Pastor Dawn Reed calls the event “Barefoot Sunday,” and she urges each member of her congregation to wear a gently used pair of shoes to the service. And after the service, each member’s feet will breath more easily.
“It’s unique,” Reed said. “At the end, you walk up to the alter, drop off your shoes and leave barefoot. The idea is that it’s making a sacrifice – realizing how blessed we really are. Most of us have multiple pairs of shoes, me included. It’s kind of like what Jesus did. The little boy donated his fish and his loaves, and they were blessed and multiplied.”
Last year, the congregation donated more than 700 pairs of shoes to Soles4Souls, which were distributed in Africa, an orphanage in India, and to victims of the earthquake in China. More locally, shoes were given to CityTeam Ministries, a homeless shelter in Chester. Reed said she hopes the church doubles its donation for this year’s installment.
However, making preparations to send 1,400 pairs of shoes is difficult. Each pair of shoes must be sorted and rubber-banded together. It’s also a bit pricey to send 1,400 pairs of shoes, at $1 per pair.
“There are costs involved, but the church picks that up,” Reed said. “If someone wants to donate $1 per pair, that’s fine, but we don’t require that.”
It’s not necessary to attend the church service to make a donation. Reed said two members of the church will be putting on an outdoor concert following the service, where the public will be given an opportunity to help the shoeless. Crews with the Delaware County Department of Community Service will help pack the shoes up and ship them out.
As of June 15, Reed said the congregation has already collected hundreds of shoes. “We’ve made it so easy to donate,” she said. “Just come up to the driveway, drop the shoes off and then go out the other side. If they want to stay, they’re welcome to do so.
“The church has a motto: ’compassion is a lifestyle,’” Reed said, adding that while the immediate community doesn’t have a strong need to receive, it is eager to give. Reed, who also works in the prison system as a counselor, said throughout the year members of the Media church collect items for the less fortunate. For its “crisis care kits” program, members of the congregation take home a large, sealable plastic bag and fill it with things like shampoo, washcloths, combs and any other toiletries they can find. They’re then sent to a central location, to be distributed to a “catastrophe area.”
The church also collects backpacks and school supplies for needy children, and articles of winter clothing for CityTeam Ministries.
“Being involved in the community is a hallmark of the church,” Reed said. And will Reed be giving up some of her shoes?
“Oh my goodness yes,” she said. “Pastor Dawn probably has the most shoes there.” The Media Church of the Nazarene is located at 1810 N. Providence Road, Media.
Shoes will be collected July 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 610-566-8890, or visit www.soles4souls.org.
For its second year, the congregation will be teaming up with Soles4Souls, a national nonprofit organization that collects new and gently used shoes, and doles them out to people around the world. Pastor Dawn Reed calls the event “Barefoot Sunday,” and she urges each member of her congregation to wear a gently used pair of shoes to the service. And after the service, each member’s feet will breath more easily.
“It’s unique,” Reed said. “At the end, you walk up to the alter, drop off your shoes and leave barefoot. The idea is that it’s making a sacrifice – realizing how blessed we really are. Most of us have multiple pairs of shoes, me included. It’s kind of like what Jesus did. The little boy donated his fish and his loaves, and they were blessed and multiplied.”
Last year, the congregation donated more than 700 pairs of shoes to Soles4Souls, which were distributed in Africa, an orphanage in India, and to victims of the earthquake in China. More locally, shoes were given to CityTeam Ministries, a homeless shelter in Chester. Reed said she hopes the church doubles its donation for this year’s installment.
However, making preparations to send 1,400 pairs of shoes is difficult. Each pair of shoes must be sorted and rubber-banded together. It’s also a bit pricey to send 1,400 pairs of shoes, at $1 per pair.
“There are costs involved, but the church picks that up,” Reed said. “If someone wants to donate $1 per pair, that’s fine, but we don’t require that.”
It’s not necessary to attend the church service to make a donation. Reed said two members of the church will be putting on an outdoor concert following the service, where the public will be given an opportunity to help the shoeless. Crews with the Delaware County Department of Community Service will help pack the shoes up and ship them out.
As of June 15, Reed said the congregation has already collected hundreds of shoes. “We’ve made it so easy to donate,” she said. “Just come up to the driveway, drop the shoes off and then go out the other side. If they want to stay, they’re welcome to do so.
“The church has a motto: ’compassion is a lifestyle,’” Reed said, adding that while the immediate community doesn’t have a strong need to receive, it is eager to give. Reed, who also works in the prison system as a counselor, said throughout the year members of the Media church collect items for the less fortunate. For its “crisis care kits” program, members of the congregation take home a large, sealable plastic bag and fill it with things like shampoo, washcloths, combs and any other toiletries they can find. They’re then sent to a central location, to be distributed to a “catastrophe area.”
The church also collects backpacks and school supplies for needy children, and articles of winter clothing for CityTeam Ministries.
“Being involved in the community is a hallmark of the church,” Reed said. And will Reed be giving up some of her shoes?
“Oh my goodness yes,” she said. “Pastor Dawn probably has the most shoes there.” The Media Church of the Nazarene is located at 1810 N. Providence Road, Media.
Shoes will be collected July 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 610-566-8890, or visit www.soles4souls.org.
