Did you know over 300 million children in the world can’t afford shoes, yet millions of shoes are dumped into landfills each year? Sam H., a Grades of Green Youth Corps Eco-Leadership student, wanted to do something about this problem. Since 2011 when he first joined the Youth Corps, Sam has worked Grades of Green and Soles 4 Souls to collect used shoes and donate them to those in need. His goal is to collect 25,000 pairs of shoes before he starts college this fall and if he succeeds, he will earn a trip to Africa to visit those who benefited from his shoe collection. After six years of hard work, Sam managed to collect 17,000 pairs of shoes – and he only needs 8,000 more to reach his goal!

This summer Sam is partnering with Grades of Green and the Manhattan Beach Farmers Market for one final push to complete his goal, but we need your help! Please bring any unwanted used shoes to the designated collection bins located at the Manhattan Beach Farmers Market on Tuesdays from 11am – 5pm. These bins will be available all summer long, and all shoes will go to supporting Sam’s goal. Want to learn more about Sam’s shoe collection and play some fun and educational activities during your next visit to the Manhattan Beach Farmers Market? Be sure to visit the Grades of Green booth during the Manhattan Beach Farmers Market Anniversary on July 11th – we hope to see you there with your used shoes!

Want to take an an eco-activity like Sam? Click here to learn more about Grades of Green’s Youth Corps Eco-Leadership Program!

Grades of Green Youth Corps student, Sam Holtze, is making it his mission to collect shoes from numerous races this school year, all of which will be donated to Soles4Souls. Sam kicked off his initiative by coordinating other Youth Corps students to help collect over 10 pairs of used running shoes after the Manhattan Beach Hometown 10K and at Village Runner the week following the race.

By collecting these old shoes that would traditionally be thrown away, Sam is helping divert the shoes from the landfill and directing them to a place where they are needed and can be used. Through Soles4Souls, the shoes are sent to people in third world countries who do not have any footwear. To learn more about Soles4Souls go here.