Changing Footprints Hancock County recently had a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Pictured from left is Jeff Somers and Donieta Ross of the Greenfield Area Chamber of Commerce; Joyce Jeffries, Deb Cherry, Jeff Hendress and Stephen Jeffries, as well as Sneakers the Bear.
Submitted photo
Editor’s note: The Daily Reporter features our “Neighbors” often, whether it be someone with an interesting hobby or profession, or a nonprofit group making a difference in our community. Here, Stephen Jeffries shares about the Hancock County chapter of Changing Footprints, which he coordinates with Deb Cherry. The Greenfield office recently had a ribbon cutting ceremony. If you know a person or a group that you’d like to see featured in Neighbors, email [email protected].
Changing Footprints of Hancock County
Organization address: 1001 W. Main St., Greenfield
Contact and donation info: changingfootprints.org, 317-374-5608, 317-753-3335
Annual budget: $10,000
Daily Reporter: What is your group’s mission?
Stephen Jeffries: Changing Footprints Hancock County is a shoe pantry. Our mission is to collect gently used and new shoes and boots and distribute them to those in need in Central Indiana and around the world. We work in union and partnership with other Changing Footprints in Central and Northern Indiana to fulfill this mission. We mostly distribute donated shoes and socks in our local area.
DR: Who do you serve?
SJ: Changing Footprints serves all ages and groups and families in Hancock County and surrounding areas as needed.
DR: How did it start?
SJ: Changing Footprints was established in 2005 in Rushville when Maureen Leisure saw a documentary about children dying of disease from walking in the mountains in Afghanistan without shoes. She teamed up with a friend at work Bob Broughton to collect shoes and start the not-for-profit Changing Footprints. We now have six areas collecting and distributing shoes, socks and boots to those in need in Indiana and around the world.
DR: What’s your biggest challenge?
SJ: Recruiting volunteers and locating those who need our help.
DR: What are your primary events or fundraisers?
SJ: We conduct several shoe giveaways during the year and hope to sponsor a trivia night or other community fundraiser in Hancock County. We collect shoes and promote our organization at the 500 Mini Marathon Expo and several other 5k runs throughout Indiana during the year.
DR: How can someone step up to help?
SJ: We are in need of volunteers to sort, clean and collect shoes and stock shelves and maintain and organize the pantry and serve clients that visit our pantry. Marketing and other technical assistance is also needed, as well as organizational and corporate/business partners to collect shoes. We are an all volunteer non profit that is passionately hoping to “change the world two feet at a time.”
