soul

FROM THE SOUL OF YOUR HEART TO THE SOLES OF THEIR FEET

It’s From The Sole – A non-profit organization collecting & giving shoes to homeless communities in New York City and around the world.

welcome

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on collecting, refurbishing and giving away shoes to the homeless in New York City and other metropolitan areas.

RECEIVE DONATIONS

We work with local communities and organizations to collect new and unused shoes. Donate with shoes or with your credit card!

CLEAN & REFURBISH

We clean all shoe and insoles donations to ensure freshness and quality.

DELIVER TO THOSE IN NEED

We travel throughout New York City to donate the new and freshly refurbished shoes to those in need. Volunteer to distribute shoes with us!

about-us

ABOUT US

A story from our founder, Andre McDonnell, and what compelled him to create a charitable movement:

“In 2012, after playing basketball with friends, I spotted a homeless man with no shoes on his feet. A sense of urgency came over me that nudged my soul to take action. I took the sneakers off my feet and offered them to this gentleman. Feeling the same gravel that was under his feet, nothing compared to the gratitude he expressed with this small act of kindness and returned smile. It made me realize there are many unfortunate people similar to his man, without so much as a decent pair of shoes. I knew in my heart there had to be something more I could do to make their walk through life a little easier. From that one moment came It’s From The Sole.”

the-process

THE PROCESS

WHAT WE COLLECT

We accept shoes and sneakers that are new and unused.

HOW WE COLLECT

We work with everyone from local residents and businesses to universities and schools to collect sneakers and shoes.

HOW WE CLEAN

We hand clean and launder all sneakers and soles to ensure they are in proper condition, including replacing old insoles and shoestrings.

HOW WE DISTRIBUTE

We distribute refurbished and new sneakers to those in need on an ad hoc and scheduled basis. Join us!

“Once ready for distribution, I would fill a rolling duffel bag, hop on the train and hand deliver sneakers to the homeless in three locations of Manhattan – Port Authority Bus Terminal, Bryant Park, and Union Square – known as the ‘Love Triangle’.”

andre-mcdonnell

Andre McDonnell

Founder

Andre was born in St. Michaels, Barbados and moved to Brooklyn, New York at the age of five. His mantra driving the organization is “It’s from the sole, sole of feet, to those in need.”

“For the first two and a half years I handled the collection, cleaning, and distribution alone and at my own expense. To aid in some of my efforts, I now recruit high school and college students, teaching them how to give back while performing community service for a cool organization.”

accomplishments

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

To date, It’s From The Sole has…

Distributed over 30,000 pairs of sneakers to the homeless and less fortunate individuals in New York City, Philadelphia, Norristown, Washington, DC; San Antonio, Houston, Huntsville, Seattle, Barbados; Jamaica, Colombia, Guyana, Paris, London, Gueye, and more.
Hosted bi-weekly sneaker distribution events in major cities.

Recent awards & recognitions include…