PASS THE SHOES, is our new initiative where your running shoes donation turns into an opportunity to bring resources and running to those that need it the most, while keeping shoes away from landfills by giving them a second life!
WHAT WE BELIEVE
At PASS THE SHOES, we believe that running shoes possess the transformative power to change lives. When you pass the shoes, you also share opportunities, knowledge and information that has the capacity to inspire and empower individuals to move not just their bodies but also their lives.
Our Goal
To collect used shoes runners don't need anymore and distribute them to those who need them the most. We give shoes a second life while also keeping them away from landfills for as long as possible.
RIGHTS AND RESOURCES
At Touching Land we believe in the transformative power of education and access to rights education. Each pair of shoes will also lead to resources with rights information, access to parks and trailheads, trail essentials, outdoor scholarships and running groups information.
QR CODES
The use of QR codes is a technique we have been using in most of our projects. It is an incredible efficient way to bring multiple resources to immigrants.
Each pair of shoes donated will be tagged with a QR code providing access to all of our Know Your Rights resources and specific local resources developed exclusively for that population of future runners.
We want to make learning and access to information easy and fun.
How the initiative started
Our founder is an immigrant that found running gave her the feeling of freedom and belonging she coudln’t find anywhere else. When she moved to the US, running became the glue that kept her family going and learning about their new community.
One afternoon during a class, the idea of running in the woods came up and one of our students said: ” I WISH I could run in the woods, but I don’t really have the right shoes or know how to get there”. This revelation surprised the teachers and founder, as the obstacles preventing people from enjoying the outdoors are a mix of resources and knowledge, elements that can be assembled with relative ease.
That's when our founder began collecting running shoes from her running club and neighbors to donate to immigrant students and shelters in the U.S.
Some of the donated shoes collected are also used in some of Touching Land’s new programing “Running, Rights and Land” workshops.
An even easier way to collect running shoes is at races ! With the help of HOKA, this year we will be at the most iconic trail race in America, the Western States Endurance Run on June 29th, 2024 collecting shoes.
If you are coming to the race, bring your old shoes and drop them off with us!
pass the opportunity and the knowledge!
As we start collecting shoes after races, we are developing resources in the areas where we will distribute the shoes, keeping in mind community building, language, resources needed and sustainability practice goals.
RACE DONATION SCHEDULE
WSER (CA) - We are focussing on Farm Workers/immigrant needs and access to trails and parks resources.
10 days of 10K (NJ) - We are focussing on Know Your Rights information, outdoor opportunities, scholarships.
How to get involved?
Do you have a race or a running club that can donate their gentle used running shoes?
We love activating community, so reach out to us!
