Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls® is commemorating its 25th year of ministry, having provided more than 5 million pairs of shoes to vulnerable children in the United States and around the world. Recently, Buckner Shoes surpassed a remarkable milestone of 20,000 registered shoe drives.
 
“More than the metric, itself – 20,000 registered shoe drives represent countless friends, organizations, businesses, civic groups and churches who have been so generous with their time and resources over the past 25 years,” shared Shawn Spurrier, director of Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls.

“It represents individuals and families who have responded to the need and have carried a burden for children throughout the world – letting them know they are loved, cared for and not forgotten.”
 
We express our profound gratitude to the many generous collaborators who have made these shoe drives possible, such as Moody Radio in Chattanooga, Tennessee, whose support propelled Buckner Shoes beyond 20,000 drives.
 
Moody Radio Chattanooga has hosted shoe drives benefiting Buckner Shoes for more than two decades, and their longstanding contributions to this ministry cannot be understated.

 
“I think it so fitting this amazing milestone is happening alongside the annual Moody Radio Chattanooga shoe drive. We are beyond grateful,” Spurrier shared.
 
Each one of these shoe drives represents a collective effort of people dedicated to meeting a crucial need for vulnerable children. While a shoe drive might feel like a simple fundraising or collection opportunity, each pair of shoes contributed is much more.
 
They signify the countless children whose faces lit up with joy as they tried on their new socks or shoes and were given opportunity and hope through the kindness of others.
 
Since 1999, Buckner Shoes has been fortunate enough to offer a way for those who feel called to give back.
 
The shoe drive events go beyond simply collecting new socks and shoes. These contributions offer vulnerable children access to education, provide hope, and allow Buckner to spread the love of Christ to those experiencing severe poverty.
 
Buckner Shoes offers a variety of ways for individuals to engage and host their own registered shoe drive. One option is to join the Buckner Shoes Birthday Club, where attendees of birthday parties or other events can bring shoes in lieu of traditional birthday gifts. When someone hosts a Birthday Party through the Birthday Club, the host receives all the details they need for a great birthday party through a “Birthday in a Box.”
 
Additionally, Buckner organizes local shoe drives across Texas. While many shoes and donations support children internationally, 20% of shoes stay local to the U.S.
 
Lastly, individuals, churches and organizations are encouraged to host their own shoe drives, utilizing their connections to gather new socks and shoes and spread hope across the globe.
 
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:35
 
Everyone who has or is planning to host a shoe drive is living proof of this verse. They have been obedient to Christ’s command to give to those less fortunate so that they might see him.
 
Buckner Shoes is eager to carry on the work each of you have sustained over the past 25 years, and we eagerly anticipate the impact the next 20,000 shoe drives will have on children in need worldwide.

Learn more about Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls® today.