We are very happy with the result we have achieved so far! 2,598 pairs of shoes donated. But much more can still be achieved. There is an upward trend in the figures published by Statistics Netherlands (CBS). At the beginning of 2023, 30,600 homeless people were registered. At the beginning of 2024, that number was 33,000. And those are only the registered people between the ages of 18 and 65. Young people, and there are many of them, are not included in the count.
The ETHOS census uses different criteria. ETHOS stands for European Typology of Homelessness and Housing Exclusion. Read here the Dutch public report of the 2024 census
Reason enough to make our foundation bigger, so we can help even more people. We have experienced over the past few months that asking for help pays off and that expressing your dreams is the best thing you can do to make those dreams come true. Therefore, below is a list of our wishes for the New Shoes Foundation. To take it a step further. One step Beyond!
Can we map out which medical costs are saved? when homeless people receive proper shoes and socks in a timely manner to remedy or prevent foot problems. Or that someone with a cold would otherwise have to walk around in wet shoes and socks in the winter and could easily develop pneumonia as a result. If that leads to hospitalization, the costs are many times higher than a pair of shoes. If we can map this out, more parties will need to be willing to contribute to the shoes for preventive use.
We dream of a coach converted into a shoe store That coach is going to drive around the Netherlands for 40 weeks a year, 4 days a week to give away 60 pairs of shoes per day. That's almost 10,000 pairs of shoes. We're never going to reach that number with our annual action because of logistical challenges. That coach solves those challenges.
Paolo Nutini becomes an ambassador for our foundation. He sings his song New Shoes. He wrote that song because he wants to solve problems as easy as it is to buy new shoes. A tremendous link to our cause. It would be great if he wants to support us in raising awareness of homelessness. And of course, we think he's a cool artist, too.
Shoes developed and produced for life on the streets. That will be the shoes that we donate.Homeless people make intens use of shoes. Not like most people. And in terms of appearance, they may also have different needs. How great would it be if we could use residual streams of materials from other shoes to produce shoes designed specifically for life on the streets. And there is no need for all those shoes to look the same. Each pair may be unique, just as each person is unique. It reduces waste stream, shoes can be produced cheaper and they last longer. Win-Win-Win
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