Shoes And Social Responsibility

by Blake Mycoskie

It's a simple idea: for every pair of shoes bought in America, an additional pair of shoes is given away to children in Argentina. Today, thousands of South American kids play soccer in new shoes - and thousands more will tomorrow.

Comments

marla shoe

TOMS is great! What a super perspective you guys were able to present in the interview here.

Carolyn

This is a great idea! The only thing I am wondering is instead of bringing shoes down that have been made in the US, if it would be better to donate 1/2 of all sales to buy these shoes from Argentinian shoemakers. That way the kids get shoes, but the shoe distribution doesn't hurt the local economy. Would it even be possible to start a Tom's factory there? Just an idea. My husband and I direct a non-profit ministry that works with low-income families here in our city. When we first started out, someone gave us the book "When Helping Hurts". It gives some good insight as to how to minister to the poor in ways that empower and don't hurt the local economy.