FCS Shoe Harvest Runs Up Big Yields
April 20, 2010
It was a harvest of different proportions, the commodity was one that had little value left to those who participated, but to those on the receiving end it could be something that saves their life. Shoes that were collected in this year’s FCS Shoe Harvest are now being processed and will soon be on their way to making a difference in the lives of so many in need around the world, over 13,000 lives to be exact.
Village Northwest Unlimited (VNU), in Sheldon, has been collecting shoes since October, when they became the processing center for shoes in the Midwest. The
great thing about partnering with this cause isn’t just the fact that the shoes collected have a global impact, but it’s providing employment for consumers, to whom Village Northwest Unlimited provides services for. VNU also is given a stipend for every pair of shoes they process. So by coming along side such a worthy cause, the Shoe Harvest has had local impact with a national organization that has a global outreach.
The original goal was to fill one 325 bushel grain wagon, donated by Demco, with shoes. We first started collecting internally and as the campaign launched we decided it woul
d be great to get a few more drop locations involved. KICD radio stations in Spencer, Keith Merrick Company of Sibley and Jensen dealerships of Sioux City, LeMars and Hawarden; all threw their support behind the Shoe Harvest when they heard about it. Appliance boxes were taken around to locations to collect the shoes in and every week a box was full somewhere. The response was overwhelming and when the drive was finished over 13,612 pairs of shoes were collected in four grain wagons!
This project could not have been done if it weren’t for our numerous business partners who helped in many different ways. We would like to thank, KTIV, KICD radio stations, Keith Merrick Co., Demco Manufacturing, Casey’s General Store in Hawarden, Jensen Dealerships, KIWA Radio in Sheldon, Precision Graphics in Hull and numerous church and community groups. This is just one more reason why Farmers Coop Society is so proud to be community owned! 
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