The non-profit organization Soles4Souls contributed to the Week of Welcome events by holding a “one for one” donation drive in Scott’s Plaza where one dollar would pay shipping costs for one pair of shoes for those in need.

“Our goal is to put shoes on feet,” Heath Bain, RV Spokesperson for Soles4Souls, said. “Every dollar raised helps us give a pair of shoes to someone who needs them.”

Heath and his wife Melissa Bain are part of a year-long RV tour for Soles-4Souls where they travel the nation in a 35 foot RV visiting universities in an attempt to involve college students in the Soles4Souls mission of “changing the world, one pair a time.” The couple parked their RV, which was covered with pictures of people helped by Soles4Souls, just in front of the warhawk statue.

Based in Nashville, Tenn., Soles-4Souls has collected over 15 million pairs of shoes since 2005 from footware companies and donations. These shoes are distributed to over 127 countries worldwide to those who need them, regardless of race, religion, class or any other criteria.

“If you ever clean your closets, or want to get rid of your shoes, think about donating them to Soles-4Souls,” Melissa says.

All donations are accepted. Even rubber from shoes too well-worn to be reused is recyclable, so any contribution is encouraged. However, those who give unused inventory are assured their donations are distributed to people around the world living in desperate need.