Holy Trinity Episcopal Church of International Falls has joined the 106 other churches of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota in conducting the largest statewide shoe collection program of its kind in Minnesota history.
The program started on Sept. 7, and extends through Oct. 24, and will be held in conjunction with Soles4Souls, a Nashville-based international charity that will distribute the shoes to the desperate and needy victims of the current hurricane season.
The devastation in the Caribbean and southeastern United States, particularly Haiti, Cuba and now Houston and northern Mexico, makes this area of the world a priority.
The availability of simple items like footwear can prevent the debilitating effects that infection and disease can have on an already shattered community. Soles4Souls has collected 50,000 pairs of shoes and boots already.
“Our community does lot of good things,” said Lee Grim, an ordained deacon at Holy Trinity.
The public can bring the shoes right to the church in the afternoons at 820 Fourth Street. Grim encourages people to call ahead to ensure that someone will be in the office to accept the donations.
“We have boxes inside of the church door,” said Grim. “The secretary is there between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.”
Grim said the church is looking for shoes in all sizes and types, and only asks that the shoes be in good or new condition.
“We want them to be in good shape and not too worn out,” he added. “Don’t just empty the closet, but pick out the ones that you know people would use.”
The shoes will be blessed at the Diocesan Convention this October in Rochester. The service will be keynoted by the Rev. Canon Michael Battle, an acclaimed speaker and biographer of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
“It is significant that in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota we have chosen to focus on the needs of others and how much we can accomplish in alleviating suffering when we work collectively,” said Bishop James Jelinek. “This is the Gospel in action; a church in mission.”
The shoe drive supports the number one mission priority, Millennium Development Goals, and its work to end extreme poverty, halt the spread of HIV/AIDS and provide universal primary education by 2015.
For more information contact Holy Trinity Episcopal Church at 283-8606 or online at www.ifhtec.org.