Parksville based ShuGuy Ministries has given out about 700 pairs of shoes in the last five months in an effort to help homeless people take a step up.
"Helping the homeless starts with the shoes," chairman Will Chambers previously said of the new organization he founded after seeing a homeless guy with "the worst shoes I've ever seen."
He said everything starts with the shoes, but as a registered nurse he's also able to recognize infections or help direct them to other health services.
On May 30 they handed out about 60 pairs at the Salvation Army in Parksville, which they have also done at Mustardseed in Victoria.
"We typically spend 30 days gathering as many shoes as possible and we aim to provide one major event per month at various locations and simply hand out shoes to the homeless," Chambers said.
They also receive three or four referrals per week for specific individuals from other organizations.
"Our biggest supplier and donator is FrontRunner. We have access to shoes that are gently used and some that are brand new from three different FrontRunner stores on the island," he said, adding they also get donations from Payless Shoes.
For more information, including easy ways to donate or get involved, visit:
• www.shuguy.ca, which is best.
• e-mail: shuguy@shaw.ca
• call 250-616-4829.