The Tarkio Rotary Club and all of the Rotary Clubs of District 6040 in Missouri are again sponsoring a shoe drive in support of the Buckner Orphan Care International “Shoes for Orphan Souls” Project for 2021. The clubs are collecting shoes to be delivered to the district collection point on May 22. From there, the shoes will be shipped via UPS to the Buckner warehouses in Dallas, Texas, for distribution to orphanages in Honduras and other countries where they are needed. Since 2001, the project has collected and delivered over 3 million pairs of shoes to orphan children in over 80 countries.

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the project, Missouri Rotary District 6040 Clubs have pledged 20,000 pairs of shoes to this project or 10 pairs of shoes per Rotarian in the district. The goal for the Tarkio Rotary Club is 209 pairs which will bring the club’s total for the 20 years of the project to 6,000! In order to meet and exceed this goal, the Rotarians need your help.

What can you do to help? Everyone is asked to take one, or more if possible, pair of shoes or $5.00 (make checks payable to Tarkio Rotary Club) to Suzanne Brought in the high school principal’s office at the school or to any of the large collection boxes including some churches around town and Brad Mathers’ Midwest Trophies shop on Main Street.

Shoes may be purchased from the sale racks at shoe stores for approximately $5.00 or less. Prices may vary from store to store. By telling the shoe department manager that you are working with the Rotary “Shoes for Orphan Souls” Project, you may sometimes be able to buy shoes at a reduced price. Flip flops, sandals, new shoes, socks and shoe laces ($5.00 value) of any size or cash are acceptable. Athletic shoes sizes youth 4 to adult 9 are preferred. Used shoes cannot be accepted. The deadline to donate is May 9, 2021.

Community members may contribute by dropping off their shoes at the high school, the First Baptist Church, Presbyterian Church or Assembly of God Church. If shoes are collected at other churches or locations,  please deliver them to the Baptist Church. The Tarkio Rotary Club, on behalf of the orphan children of Honduras, thanks you for your help.