Chris Hanna, a freshman exercise science major at Freed-Hardeman University, has created an FHU chapter of the charity Soles4Souls. Hanna, along with other members of the student body, will be collecting gently worn or used shoes, as well as outgrown or unwanted clothes. The items will then be sent to those in need.
According to the organization’s website, “Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. The charity distributes these shoes to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has delivered over 17 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes. The shoes have been distributed to people in over 127 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States.”
Hanna wants to make a difference with Soles4Souls because, he says, “I used to not be as privileged as I am now, and I have known what it feels like to be the people who need help…I don’t want anybody to feel the way I felt.” Hanna states that collections will be made as long as he is a student at FHU, and he hopes that the effort will continue even after he graduates.
FHU students, faculty and members of the community are encouraged to participate in this effort. If interested in donating to Soles4Souls, contact Hanna at
chris.hanna@students.fhu.edu or 901-574-3712.