OCTOBER 1, 2013 - On Labor Day weekend in September, Northside United Methodist Church in Brewster, MA decided to take a stand and make a difference by supporting Imagine No Malaria. It all began on Sunday, September 1st with a Shoe Drive. When Northside first looked into how to help Imagine No Malaria, they came upon an organization called Rerun Shoes in Holyoke, MA, who were already in support of the Imagine No Malaria campaign. 

Shoes that Northside, other churches, and businesses supply to Rerun provide the ability for individuals in Massachusetts to work, as well as many people in Africa who refurbish the shoes to earn an income. These shoes then help small-scale entrepreneurs and become affordable footwear to customers in Mali, Guinea and Liberia who may not otherwise have access to decent shoes. For every hundred pounds of shoes donated to Rerun Shoes from Northside UMC, Rerun Shoes has generously offered to provide four nets to the Imagine No Malaria project. After a month of collecting shoes, teaming up with Saint David’s Episcopal Church in Yarmouth, MA, a few local gyms, schools, and businesses, Northside UMC sent 1700 pounds of shoes to Holyoke in October. Many people in the community made their contributions, and Northside received calls daily asking if they were the “shoe church” because of the great work Northside was involved in. 

None of Northside UMC’s work would have been possible without the help of Waystack Realty, who generously donated their box truck so that the 1700 pounds of shoes could be delivered to Rerun Shoes in Holyoke. Overall this was an incredible project filled with community involvement and lots of teamwork. Northside could not have accomplished such a feat without the help of the community, and the church and its members are looking forward to their next Imagine No Malaria project in December.

Anyone looking for more information or to get in touch with Northside UMC should contact:

Kate LaCroix, Assistant to the Pastor
Northside United Methodist Church
701 Airline Road, Brewster, MA 02631
508-385-8622
www.northside-umc.org