Great Bend Post
Mar 18, 2025

Great Bend church launches shoe drive fundraiser

Posted Mar 18, 2025 5:00 PM
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From Great Bend First Church of the Nazarene...

Great Bend First Church of the Nazarene Missions Council is conducting a shoe drive fundraiser March 1 through April 30 to raise funds for the Kudjip Nazarene Hospital in Papua New Guinea. The Nazarene Missions Council will earn funds based on the total weight of the pairs of gently worn, used and new shoes collected, as Funds2Orgs will issue a check for the collected shoes. Those dollars will benefit the Nazarene Kansas District project for solar powered breathing machines.

A little background, there are few roads for cars and trucks to travel on due to the mountains and jungle. Many people walk to get help from the hospital, sometimes for two to four days. The hospital has built medical clinics in the mountains, so people do not have to travel as far. A current need for one of the clinics is breathing treatment equipment for babies and children. A solar-powered device would be installed on the roof and used to power an oxygen device inside the clinic. This will help the children heal their lungs so they can breathe better.

Please join us as we help our Nazarene doctors and nurses help the children of Papua New Guinea live a better and more fulfilling life so that the power of Christ will be proclaimed.

Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used and new shoes at 4811 Broadway, Great Bend between the hours of 8 a.m. -1 p.m., Monday-Friday and Sundays 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. They will also hold a community “Drive-Thru Drop-off” event, April 5 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the church.

All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of microenterprise (small business) partners. Funds2Orgs works with micro-entrepreneurs in helping them create, maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited.

"We are excited about our shoe drive," said Toyia Roblyer, Nazarene Missions Council member. "We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they would like to donate to us. By doing so, we raise money for the much-needed solar powered breathing machines, and we have the chance to help families in developing nations who need economic opportunities. It's a win-win for everyone.”

By donating gently worn, used and new shoes to the Great Bend First Church of the Nazarene, the shoes will be given a second chance and make a difference in people’s lives around the world.