Event Recap: Sneakerheads 'Shoe Some Love' to Those in Need in Germany

Germany’s sneaker community has united for the ‘Shoe Some Love’ initiative, encouraging locals to donate old sneakers to the homeless. Led by charities SEEK and One Warm Winter, the initiative was supported by Sneaker Freaker, Germany’s sneaker godfather , and leading local retailers Acribik, , , TINT, and Collonil.

Using special collection bins in store, the retailers amassed nearly 1000 pairs of sneakers in two weeks, which were cleaned before being handed out to people in need.

Many of the pairs were distributed at the summer fest in Berlin at the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche, with an allocation also sent to fellow charities Karuna e.V., Straßenkinder e.V. and the Gitschiner Straße 15.

‘We got such a good response from all around the world, that we are possibly thinking of expanding the business into other cities and countries,’ says Julia Troll of One Warm Winter. ‘Thank you Sneaker Freaker, Hikmet, SEEK Tradeshow, and all people involved. We are more than overwhelmed.’

Marie-Luise Patzelt and Lena Elster from SEEK were equally delighted with the efforts of the local sneaker community.

‘Thanks to everybody who helped us. We are so overwhelmed by the amount of shoes which got send over, it’s really fantastic to see the response.’