A pair of old shoes can help a child get an education or protect someone from disease.
Barrie's BioPed Footcare Clinic collects old shoes to go to those in need throughout Canada and globally.
It's part of an ongoing community outreach through the charity Soles4Souls.
Many shoes go to Haiti, Honduras, the Dominican Republic as well as northern Ontario.
BioPed, as a whole, has collected over 100 thousand pairs of shoes from high heels to sneakers to work boots over several years with an overall goal of 1 million.
Manager Jasmine Basner says, "We don't appreciate how much a pair of shoes can impact someone in another part of the world. In Haiti, all schools are private and children must wear uniforms which include shoes, so it could mean the difference between a child going to school or not."
For others, it can be for general protection.
Basner explains, "Shoes can protect people from cuts, disease and protect people with diabetes."
Staff members go once a year to see the deliveries made first hand.
"It doesn't matter if your shoes are scuffed, dirty or smelly. They'll be cleaned up and put to use. Just clean your closet and we'll do the rest," Basner adds.
The shoes are sent to a distribution centre in Toronto and from there shipped to places in need.
There is also an environmental benefit by keeping old shoes out of the local landfill.
There is a collection box at the Barrie BioPed location at 515 Bryne Dr.
