For nearly 20 years, Don and Leslie Nottberg have been in the business of providing customers with comfortable, quality shoes. They help clients replace shoes that don’t properly fit their feet–or their needs. Soon they realized that when shoppers bought new shoes, their gently-used shoes oftentimes ended up taking space in the back of their closet. This begged the question: What if the shoes they no longer needed, could fill the needs of someone else who couldn’t afford them? They started by placing a tub in their store to collect these discarded shoes. Customers began bringing in all styles and sizes of shoes–600 pairs in all! Over the years, the need for these shoes skyrocketed as did the number of pairs collected.
The Nottbergs recognized this was more than just a”little shoe drive” and Shoe Kansas City grew to meet the demand. Today, Shoe Kansas City connects with seven organizations, including Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, who are the recipients of these gently-used shoes. They are distributed to our brothers and sisters in need. We appreciate the Nottbergs for their service to those in need throughout the community. If you would like to donate your new or gently-used shoes, a collection barrel is available at Elite Feet (in Hawthorne Plaza in Overland Park). Shoe Kansas City will also be accepting footwear at the Overland Park Recycling Extravaganza on Saturday, April 23rd at the Johnson County Community College.
