We Bring Relief

Since our founding in 2010, Shoes 4 the Shoeless has delivered brand-new gym shoes and socks to disadvantaged children within Southwest Ohio through our in-school delivery program. The need is still great, so our work continues.

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Children Served in 2025

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Our Story

It Starts Like Most Stories Out There

A few people recognized an overwhelming need and had to do something about it. Since then, countless volunteers and donors have stepped up to meet one of the biggest unmet health care needs for children in poverty.

Our shoes and socks bring relief, hope, encouragement, and comfort to local children in desperate need. With your help, we can make a difference!

About Us

Making a Meaningful Impact

The Need Is Great.
The Opportunity Is Greater.

In 2025, Shoes 4 The Shoeless served 21,000+ children with brand new shoes and socks. However, across our 21-county footprint, we estimate that 72,000 children are still in need.

That means we are currently reaching about 30% of the need.

Together, we can close the gap.

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Children Served in 2025

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Ohio Counties Served Across Our Region

Get to Know Us

It Takes a TEAM

To deliver thousands of shoes each year, it takes incredible planning and coordination. Get to know our Staff Team, our Board of Directors, and our Greater Cincinnati Advisory Council.

Our Team

What's Going On?

Wondering what we've been up to lately?

Year-round we stay busy hosting events all over the Miami Valley and Greater Cincinnati area. If you would like to keep up with us and see our mission in action, be sure to follow us on our social spaces!

Shoes 4 the Shoeless

1 week ago

She told us her mom had taken the insoles out of her shoes to try to make them "not hurt so much". It did not help, though, because the shoes were many sizes too small.She also told us her mom worries about this, and is trying to save money to buy her new shoes.Many of the children we serve come from families who work extremely hard at low-paying jobs. Often they work more than 1 job. They live in survival mode, where shoes and socks that fit are luxuries rarely seen.We gave her two pairs and a bag full of pretty socks. She was DELIGHTED and danced her way out of the gym.As she left, she saw her older brother in line, waiting for his turn to be helped. She RAN to him, saying, "Look! Look!" He scooped her up in a huge bear hug and said, "Wait till mom sees this".We love serving these kids, and their moms, too. Thank you to all who make moments like this possible. Her brother received 2 pairs with lots of socks too.Stay with us, please. Bringing relief is a privilege.#healthneed #thismatters ... See MoreSee Less

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Shoes 4 the Shoeless

2 weeks ago

We are frequently asked why we do not give children used shoes. The thinking behind the question is that someone else's used shoes are better than what the children are wearing. They also think we could easily collect thousands of used shoes, and would not have to raise the money to buy new ones.There are a few good answers to that question. A little girl was wearing the shoe on the left. Both shoes looked like this: gaping holes, threadbare, with no insoles left. This was her only pair of shoes. She had been wearing them all year. Her feet were constantly cold and wet. She could not run or walk normally. She was embarrassed.Here is the best answer to the question of used vs new. Her dignity and pride matter because she matters.We gave her the brand-new, beautiful shoes on the right and lots of pretty socks.She deserves new.Stay with us, please.This is a health need. ... See MoreSee Less

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Shoes 4 the Shoeless

3 weeks ago

Many of our children with special challenges do better when their feet are measured in the comfort of their own classroom, away from the noise and crowds in the gym, by their teacher rather than a stranger.Almost every week, you will find one of our staff members in a classroom with a teacher helping their student. We love our ability to care for a child's heart as much as we care for their feet.We still need volunteers to join our team in Cincy on April 23rd. This is a smaller delivery to a group of children all dealing with special challenges.Here is the sign-up link if you can help. Volunteers must be over 16.www.signupgenius.com/go/9040C49A4AB23A64-56987993-summitBringing relief is a privilege. ... See MoreSee Less

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Shoes 4 the Shoeless

3 weeks ago

The permanent damage to this 12-year-old boy’s feet was caused by chronically wearing shoes that did not fit.He came to us wearing shoes 4 sizes too small.This damage happens over time and is a painful process.Our primary goal is no longer to convince anyone that this need exists. We have proven that over the past 15 yrs.Our goals now center on prevention of foot damage, managing it when it is too late, and bringing relief to more children each year.This is a health need.Stay with us, please.Bringing relief is a privilege. ... See MoreSee Less

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Shoes 4 the Shoeless is with Cassanos Pizza King.

4 weeks ago

Our target is children living with deep needs, who need a pair of gym shoes that fit and are fit to wear.Several times each week, children ask for shoes for someone else, usually their mom, dad, brother, or sister. Occassionally they ask for a grandparent or neighbor.We always say yes.Our process requires a qualified adult to measure a child's foot and help try on the shoes to ensure they fit correctly.Sending shoes home with a child for someone else does not fit into this process. But we do it anyway, for one great reason.We would never want to crush the heart of a child who, after seeing thousands of pairs of shoes and socks, works up the courage to ask for a pair for someone that matters to them.We have a process for this situation. Working with our school partner, if the child knows their parent's or grandparent's phone number, we call home and ask for sizes. If they do not, we take the child to the office to find the number and then call. 100% of the time, these calls are met with disbelief and tears. It is usually a mom who is overwhelmed that her child was bold enough to ask for help for her.We know it is unlikely that the shoes will fit. That is not the point anyway.The point is the heart of the child who asked.This young man asked for shoes for his cousin. They both live with their grandmother. His cousin goes to a different school. He and his volunteer walked to the office to call his grandmother.This situation is repeated every week. We love and protect the hearts of the children we serve.Stay with us, please.Bringing relief is a privilege. ... See MoreSee Less

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Shoes 4 the Shoeless

1 month ago

Six years ago today (March 12, 2020), we had a strong feeling that our local schools would follow the lead of California schools and shut down for two weeks in response to the COVID epidemic. Because we understand the dynamics of poverty, we knew that if schools unexpectedly closed, many children who rely on school breakfasts and lunches would suffer severe hunger.We have learned to follow our intuition, so with no hard evidence, we initiated a plan to feed as many of our S4TS children as possible if schools closed. We estimated we could feed approximately sixty children for three weeks..Since our normal operations would not be possible with schools closed, we decided to shift overnight into a feeding program. We had no experience in this area and no pattern to follow, but we knew where to begin.By March 14, 2020, we had gathered like-minded community partners, names of children from our trusted school partners who would suffer or even starve, and formulated a complex yet simple plan we were confident would work. Then we asked our friends and neighbors to help.On March 16, Governor DeWine officially ordered all schools to close immediately for three weeks. Families had no warning and no way to prepare. But we already had a plan in place that we put in motion immediately.What we planned for was not even close to what we needed to do.Within twelve hours, desperate pleas for food from community partners, including schools, the Dayton Food Bank, nursing homes, St. Vincent's, cancer centers, Miami Valley Right to Life, and many others, came pouring in. The most vulnerable in our region, who relied on volunteers to deliver their food or run food pantries, had lost their food supply instantly, without warning.The need was overwhelming, and fear ruled the day.But we were not afraid. We were confident in God and our community. We leaned into our plan.Thanks to the goodness and mercy of God and the fearlessness of our community, we fed well over 1,500 people for 3 months. Over 150,000 meals were delivered to the homes of the most vulnerable. Every three weeks for three months, we delivered huge boxes of food to children, their families, the sick, the mentally ill, the addicted, the lonely, the terrified, the elderly, the hopeless, the feeble, and the young. We fed those who depended on assistance to eat and those who depended on volunteers to bring their food. We fed undocumented migrant families and seasonal farm workers. Our hearts were broken a million times over by what we saw. We could write a book.As we began, we were criticized on a televised broadcast for defying the stay-at-home order. We were ordered to stop. There are times when the laws written on our hearts take precedence over the laws of the land. With all due respect, we continued. In fact, we expanded.Two senior citizens that we know of died of starvation during this period. We will never forget that.We will also never forget the hundreds of community volunteers who fearlessly and tirelessly followed our process, defied the stay-at-home order, and bought and delivered food to their fellow men who could not provide for themselves.It is an excellent day to remember who we are as a community.This is us. We love you.Bringing relief is a privilege.Stay with #goodnessandmercymercy ... See MoreSee Less

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Questions or Comments?

Get in Touch

If you know us, you know that we love talking about what we do and meeting new people. If you don’t know us, we’d love to talk with you! Whether you want to share an idea, talk about a need, or just say hi, we would love to hear from you.

Contact Us

We Bring Relief

It Starts Like Most Stories Out There

The Need Is Great. The Opportunity Is Greater.

It Takes a TEAM

What's Going On?

Wondering what we've been up to lately?

Get in Touch

The Need Is Great.
The Opportunity Is Greater.