BOLIVAR – Southwest Baptist University (SBU), along with Missouri State University, Ozarks Technical College, Drury University and Evangel University, is partnering for a joint community service project, “Stomp Out Hunger: All collegiate shoe drive.”
The shoe drive will take place on all five campuses from Sept. 28 – Oct. 19, with shoe collection sites at various locations on the SBU Bolivar campus, including the Goodson Student Union, Meyer Wellness and Sports Center and all dormitories. All wearable shoes are acceptable (no holes, please).
Sole Food, in affiliation with Shoeman Water Projects, will export the collected shoes to developing countries. Sole Food is a project of Friends Against Hunger, a Springfield-based organization, and 100 percent of funds generated from the export of the collected shoes will go to Friends Against Hunger, which packages and distributes meals around the U.S. and the world. By donating gently used shoes, the community will not only be providing shoes, but also food and clean water to those in need around the world.
“SBU is excited about the opportunity to partner with other area academic institutions to make a positive difference in our world and we invite our local community to join our efforts by bringing shoe donations,” said Rob Harris, Ed.D., vice president for student development.
Additionally, this project will also have the opportunity to attempt breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest string of shoes. The current record of 12,481 shoes is held by the Shoeman Water Project, which displayed the shoes at the University of Missouri on May 7, 2011. All types of shoes will be accepted as donations, but only shoes with laces can be used in breaking the world record. The record attempt will take place at Hammons Field in Springfield on Saturday, Oct. 26, by placing laced shoes toe-to-heel in a continuous string to spell out the words “Stomp Out Hunger.” The public is invited to view the process throughout that day.