A Richmond-based nonprofit is turning running shoes into living shoes.
Shood partners with local businesses to collect, clean and repair old running shoes and donate them to folks in need. The shoes the members of the John Marshall track team are wearing are just a fraction of the thousands of shoes the nonprofit gives away every year.
Read MoreThe newest shoes are chosen for the “Shooding Stars” program, through which SHOOD donates running shoes and track spikes to five inner-city Richmond schools: Armstrong, George Wythe, Huguenot, John Marshall and Thomas Jefferson. Eligible students are sized by a professional and get a chance to select shoes at the beginning of the cross country, indoor track and outdoor track seasons. Sometimes, SHOOD will get a large donation of brand-new shoes and will work with other nonprofits doing similar work. Recently, Telfian says Finnish sports shoe manufacturer Karhu called to donate 600 pairs of shoes that were still in boxes.
photo credit: Ash Daniel
Read MoreTelfian founded Shood, a Richmond-area non-profit that provides sneakers to people in need.
"Having a pair of shoes is just a part of dignity, and everyone deserves a great pair of shoes," she said.
Shood partnered with Caritas this Christmas.
Read MoreSpotlight on founder of local nonprofit Shood (Shoes for Good).
“Most of our Shood Share guests walk many miles a day to work, appointments and outreach services across Richmond. Running shoes are safe, functional and comfortable,” Ms. Telfian says, explaining why running shoes are Shood’s footwear of choice to give out. “Our hope is that our shoes will help make an immediate impact on health and wellness, while helping individuals step forward in dignity.”
Read MoreThis past winter, Robin spent a day running with her dog Max. The only thing that was unusual - she had cameras following her. HOKA gave Robin an opportunity to show off her running skills, her favorite running shoes and the work that she and her team do for the community, through her nonprofit, SHOOD.
Read MoreRichmond shoe retailer, Fleet Feet, has teamed with local nonprofit Shood (Shoes for Good) to deliver 400 pairs of running shoes donated by the On running shoe company to front-line nurses and physicians at VCU Health System. The shoes are being delivered to the medical campus on Thursday, May 14.
Read MoreTo celebrate our big day and because it's National Volunteer Inspiration week, we asked our volunteers to tell us their favorite SHOOD moments.
Read MoreLaTasha Ruffin walked into St. Thomas' Episcopal Church on Hawthorne Avenue with slippers on her feet. She stepped out wearing sky blue running shoes and a smile. It was her birthday, and she couldn’t have asked for a better present.
“Some people can’t afford to buy shoes,” she says. “These feel excellent on my feet.”
Read MoreVolunteers give of their time to provide dignity and hope to recipients. “The idea a runner can run past someone they can turn around and help is really powerful,” says Telfian.
“There’s something magical that happens when people get the right pair of shoes. It’s kind of that Cinderella moment. You know the shoe goes on and the face lights up, and it’s happiness. One man did a happy dance. We have that all the time, those moments where you know what you’re doing matters.”
-Robin Telfian
Read MoreFinancially backed with a multiyear commitment from the Hull Foundation, NPO Launchpad has already chosen its inaugural class.
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