This week, I had the pleasure of connecting with my friend Kim Coulthard, the founder of Shoes for You. Kim’s organization supports people in crisis in Nanaimo by offering free seasonally appropriate footwear. However, Kim doesn’t simply hand out shoes. She gets to know her clients, and professionally fits them with shoes that feel good on their feet. Good quality, well fitting footwear is important for unhoused members of our community due to constant walking in all weather conditions. Kim frequently supports unhoused people, but as you will read below, she also offers shoes to many other community members.
What is Shoes for you?
I really had to think about this. It’s not just a program connecting people and shoes. It’s a program connecting people to their community. It’s about offering a way for our community to help our most vulnerable neighbours by improving their health, specifically their foot health. It’s about our most vulnerable knowing that their community cares. The human connections I have made mean so much to me and I am privileged to be able to provide this service.
Where do the shoes come from?
I am a shameless asker lol! I post on various Facebook groups and members of those groups contact me to arrange donations. I have made connections with some wonderful local small businesses as well including Colleen at Yours and Mine Consignment and Tiffany at The Hospice Shop. Frontrunners Nanaimo has been my biggest supporter. For many years they have collected hundreds of pairs of shoes from their loyal customer base specifically to get them back out on feet in community.
Who receives the shoes?
The primary recipients of shoes are our unhoused neighbours. I set up the program at RiseBridge (520 Prideaux St) on Tuesday mornings from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. Everyone is welcome. I’ve really noticed that more seniors are coming there for shoes recently. Other agencies such as Cedar Woman’s House and Nanaimo Women Helping Women have also contacted me directly with requests. I have had quite a few private referrals as well.
How can someone reach you to donate or ask for help?
I can be contacted via email at kimcoulthard@shaw.ca.
Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo 