National Shoe Donation Day – August 15, 2026

Expected National Shoe Donation Day Deals

As a Cause holiday, National Shoe Donation Day focuses on collective action rather than commercial deals, though some retailers may offer incentives. DSW, the holiday’s founder, partners with Soles4Souls for ongoing donation programs, often providing Rewards points for donated shoes. Look for local shoe retailers like Foot Locker or Famous Footwear to host special collection events or offer discounts on new purchases when you donate. Charitable organizations such as Goodwill and The Salvation Army are key partners, accepting donations year-round and often promoting special drives around this date. Additionally, brands like Nike and Adidas, while not directly tied to this specific day, have their own recycling or donation initiatives for athletic footwear. We will update this page with confirmed live donation drives and partner initiatives as August 15 approaches.

History of National Shoe Donation Day

In the early 2000s, an effort to collect items for families and individuals who lost their homes and belongings during natural disasters (such as Hurricane Katrina) created an increased need for shoe donation programs. Answering that call, Soles4Souls was founded in 2006 with the mission to wear out poverty. While DSW had already been collecting shoe donations in stores, the nationwide shoe retailer officially began its partnership with Soles4Souls in 2018 to further its mission of making shoes accessible for all. Pairing the partnership with the launch of their VIP loyalty program, DSW offered points for donations that ultimately help customers earn Rewards. The initiative hit 10 million donations in less than four years. Customers can also donate money at check out in DSW stores or donate available Rewards, and over $4 million has been made in direct donations. 

DSW believes in the power of shoes and how a great pair of shoes can create opportunities for children to attend school and individuals to pursue education and a successful career. Through Soles4Souls, shoes are distributed to international partners who work with entrepreneurs to sell donated shoes. These microenterprises not only give new life to each pair of shoes, they create the ability for entrepreneurs to maintain an ongoing business.

Donated shoes are also a step toward a more sustainable planet and to date, over 12 million pounds of shoes have been diverted out of landfills, thanks to DSW’s shoe donation program.

In 2025, DSW named August 15 “National Shoe Donation Day” to dedicate a single day each year to giving shoes. To help drive even more donations, they launched their Annual Shoe It Forward Event to draw attention to the holiday and align with the back-to-school season, where families are looking to donate pre-loved shoes that no longer fit their children’s feet.  

Donations continue to pour in all year long and the goal is to reach 21 million pairs by the year 2030.