Public being asked to step up with help for shoe campaign

By Dale Woodard on July 31, 2021.

s the Lethbridge Shoes For Kids YQL campaign picks up speed, the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy has hit the ground running with the initiative to help make sure kids going back to school have the proper footwear.
With the Lethbridge Shoes For Kids YQL drive taking place in a little over two weeks on Aug. 14 at Lethbridge College, the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy is not only donating 100 pairs to the cause, but is also asking the public to — pun intended — step forward with shoe donations as well with the hope of donating 1,000 pairs to the cause.
“It’s a great idea and we never thought the kids would need the shoes when they go back (to school),” said Vishal Sukhadiya, pharmacist and owner of the Medicine Shoppe.
“It’s a great initiative and the great thing is every pair we donate will go local.”
Sukhadiya said the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy was originally going to donate 50 pairs of shoes until they realized there was an even bigger need.
“We got some numbers from the Lethbridge School District and there was higher need, so we went for 100 pairs. It feels great,” he said.
Now, with the aid of the public, Sukhadiya is hopeful the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy will have 1,000 pairs to put towards the Lethbridge Shoe For Kids YQL initiative in two weeks.
“We were thinking initially about 200 (pairs) and then we got more need from the schools and 200 weren’t enough and then we were thinking about 800,” said Sukhadiya. “But it’s better to have a little bit more than less. Eight hundred will suffice, but it’s better to have an extra 200 on hand just in case anybody is left out. If there are families of four kids, if one kid gets shoes, then there are three who don’t.”
Those wanting to donate some footwear can stop by the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy located at 1016A 20th St. South right around the corner from the Chinook Regional Hospital.
“We’re open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. until  2 p.m.,” said Sukhadiya, noting the importance of giving back to the community.
“When we make a profit it’s out of the community, the clients come in from the same community. So the community is giving back to the community, not the business itself. ”
Lethbridge Shoes For Kids YQL had originally hoped to raise 200 pairs of shoes earlier this month, but that total has been upped to 1,000.
Lethbridge Shoes For Kids YQL committee organizer Monica Cove said they’re at about 400 shoes right now, but cash donations have been “skyrocketing” thanks to local businesses.
The Shoes For Kids YQL drive — with support from the Lethbrige Police Service, Piikani RCMP detachment, Blood Tribe Police and the Lethbridge Fire Department Charities Association — runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 14 in in parking lot N at Lethbridge College.

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