Etnies Continues Shoe Donations for Homeless Despite Crisis
The Los Angeles Mission Easter Event, a tradition on Skid Row on Good Friday, is cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 crisis.
But etnies is still making its annual donation of shoes to the homeless.
Over 23 years, Sole Technology CEO and Owner Pierre André Senizergues has donated thousands of pairs of shoes at the Good Friday event.
This year, the company has added a new twist. It is encouraging customers to get involved in the give back program. For every pair of shoes sold on the etnies site from April 9 to April 12, the brand will donate an additional pair of shoes to the homeless.
We asked Pierre why he is keeping up the tradition, especially given the difficult circumstances that are impacting every company right now.
“There is no doubt that the pandemic has been difficult for us. Just like the rest of the industry, we’re trying to do all we can to remain stable through the quarantine,” he said. “But, we’ve been helping homeless on Good Friday for 23 years and we didn’t want to stop, especially during a time when the homeless community needs us more than ever.”
“We put aside shoes well in advance for this initiative each year, so that’s why we’re able to continue to give during this time of uncertainty,” Pierre said. “Shoes are not just a necessity, but our hope is that when the homeless receive a pair of our shoes, they’ll feel the kindness we extend to them. I can only imagine what it may be like for them to experience this crisis with no home to go to.”
According to the LA Mission, there are 53,195 people in Los Angeles County living on the streets. And the worry is this crisis will force more people into a similar situation.
“We need to remember the homeless in our cities right now. My hope is to inspire others to do something big or small to help support organizations like the Los Angeles Mission and others as they care for our neighbors who need our help the most,” Pierre said.
