Nonprofit Buckner Kicks Off Annual Rio Grande Valley Shoe Drive

Nonprofit Buckner International is calling on the Rio Grande Valley community to collect new shoes and socks for vulnerable children as part of its annual Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls drive. From April 1 through April 27, donation bins will be located across the Valley. There are still opportunities for local churches, businesses and organizations to serve as drop off locations throughout the drive.

All donated shoes and socks for children and teens must be brand new due to customs regulations. The greatest needs are boys' sizes 1-5 and girls' 4-5, but donations of all sizes are accepted. Cash donations are also accepted and will help provide new shoes as well as cover distribution costs.

“New shoes can be the catalyst to transformation in the lives of children,” said Shawn Spurrier, director of Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls. “In years past, the Rio Grande Valley community has changed the lives of thousands of vulnerable children at home and across the world. The donated shoes offer children health, education, hope, and opportunity.”

The shoes collected during the drive will provide hope for children living in orphanages and impoverished communities where Buckner offers a variety of holistic services. Through foster care, empowerment programs, transitional care and humanitarian aid, Buckner International supports children and families in countries such as the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Mexico and Peru.

Organizations with collection boxes for this year’s drive include Security First, Maximus, Inc., Edward Jones, Easter Seals, Bob Clark Social Services Center, UTRGV Beta Alpha Psi, El Centro Cultural – La Esperanza Center, and Expeditors, Inc.

“I am excited by all the organizations that have already signed up to help collect shoes in the Valley,” said Criselda Cuevas, director of administration and operations at Buckner Rio Grande Valley. “There is still time to join our community shoe drive. Organizations who would like to help collect shoes to impact the lives of children can visit our website to learn more.”

Cuevas also states that those interested in becoming drop off locations may email her at ccuevas@buckner.org

On the final day of the drive, Thursday, April 27, partners will drop off the collected shoes and socks at the Rio Grande Valley Children’s Home, where they will then be transported to the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid to be sorted and shipped.

For a list of drop off locations or to find out how to become a drop-off location, visit https://www.buckner.org/shoe-drives/rgv-shoe-drive

Visit Buckner.org/Rio-Grande-Valley to learn more or get involved.