Mast General Store is sending out an S.O.S. in the form of a shoe drive, Sharing Our Shoes.  During the month of May, Mast encourages the community to search their closets for shoes they no longer need and to drop them off at the store nearest you.   The collection drive runs through May 31st, but many locations accept donations all year.

One of the many pleasures of spring is transitioning out of bulky winter wear into lighter, warm weather clothing.  During your spring cleaning, take a closer look at your shoes.  If you think another person might wear them more than you, then drop them off at the store. We’ll be sure those shoes find the perfect pair of feet.  Any type of shoes are accepted – athletic, dress, casual, men’s women’s, or kids’.

The Knoxville Store is donating shoes to The Ladies of Charity.  Their mission is to provide emergency assistance to those in need.

The Greenville Store is working with the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army’s mission is to meet human needs without discrimination.

In Columbia, Mast Store is partnering with Transitions.  Their mission is to empower the homeless to transition from the streets to self-reliance.  

In Asheville, Mast Store is donating their shoes to The Community Resource Center at Hillcrest.  The Center promotes healthy living, community wellness, and self-sufficiency by assessing the needs and goals of the public housing residents and assisting them in building connections with appropriate community services and resources.

The Waynesville Store supports Clothes to Kids in Lake Junaluska.  They provide new and quality used clothing to low-income or in-crisis school children in Haywood County, free of charge.

In Winston-Salem, Mast Store is working with two agencies: The Crossnore School and the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission.  The Crossnore School will distribute the children’s shoes that are collected and the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission will distribute adult shoes to the people they serve.  

In Hendersonville, Mast Store is working with Interfaith Assistance Ministry and Only Hope WNC.  Interfaith Assistance Ministry is a faith-based non-profit organization committed to meeting the basic needs of Henderson County families in financial crisis.  Only Hope WNC’s purpose is to combat youth homelessness.

The Mast Stores in the High Country have chosen several community groups to receive their shoes. In Boone, shoes will be donated to Watauga High School and/or to the Hunger and Health Coalition. The store works with teachers and counselors at the high school to help students with basic needs.  If students at WHS are unable to use the shoes, the remaining shoes will be donated to the Hunger and Health Coalition.

The Mast Store Annex Store is working with The Hospitality House. Their mission is to rebuild lives and strengthen the community by providing a safe, nurturing, healthy environment in which individuals and families experiencing homelessness and poverty-related crises are equipped to become self-sufficient and productive.

Shoes donated at the Original Mast Store will help the Watauga Humane Society’s Bare Bones Boutique. Funds raised by the Bare Bones Boutique help feed and care for homeless animals in the county.

Donating your shoes is not only a gift to those in need, it’s a gracious act on behalf of the environment as well.  Last year alone, Americans discarded millions of pairs of shoes. “We all have shoes that still have a little life left in them, but we no longer wear,” said Lisa Cooper, president of the Mast Store. “The Community Resource Center at Hillcrest helps many individuals, who have no way to purchase shoes for themselves or their families. At this time, there is so much need. Our employees and our customers are always generous and eager to share what they have with their neighbors.”

De-clutter your closet, reduce the strain on our environment, and lend a helping hand to your neighbors.  Answer the S.O.S. call this month and help Sharing Our shoes. All of our invaluable community partners are eager for shoe donations and appreciate the kindness of Mast customers.  Thank you!