Kellogg Community College’s Bruin Bookstore has been collecting used shoes and various other accessories such as hoodies, coats and eyeglasses annually since 2014. These accessories are either donated to the homeless or are recycled through organizations like the Lions Club (for the eyeglasses) Playmakers (for the shoes).
Bookstore Manager Catherine James was asked how was this year’s annual shoe donation campaign in April compared to previous years, especially considering COVID.
“We have not had a problem with collecting this year,” James said. “Most people bring them in wearing masks in the store with the shoes in boxes or bags. We have set them in the window and no one touches them until we get ready to deliver.”
The results of this year’s shoe collection total a record of 277 pairs of shoes, according to a KCC press release. A large portion of this year’s donations were brought in by the Battle Creeks Runners Club, James said. The total is more than twice the 117 pairs donated in 2019, the last year the collection was held.
“This is the largest response we have ever had, ” James said. “In large part due to Matthew Santner and Holly McKee from the Battle Creek Runners Club, who were able to get runners in town to donate their shoes. We have also had a number of people in the community stop by the store and drop off shoes. It has been a great recycling effort this month.”
For more information about the Bruin Bookstore’s shoe collection and other collection campaigns, contact James at 269-965-4128 or jamesc@kellogg.edu.
