More than 500 pairs of shoes await the chance to make a difference in Ashland. President Andy Jacobs and his team have helped expand the brand to become a multi-category shoe company focusing on growing both direct to consumer and retail partnerships.
“As the brand has grown, we always wanted to keep our focus on sustainability and community,” says Jacobs.
Dozens of influencers have featured the shoes on their feeds and J.Crew carried several Men's clogs from the Stegmann last fall, with an exciting new collaboration in the works. Over the past several years, the brand has expanded its footwear line from wool and leather clogs to include boots, dress shoes, and sandals.
New materials and designs have entered the production process. Over time, that means that some styles are discontinued, so the brand has collected hundreds of pairs they are no longer able to sell. The landfill was never an option, explains Jacobs.
“Sustainability is a core value at Stegmann, so we knew we would find a meaningful use for these shoes without a home,” Jacobs said. “Soles4Soles was a clear option for us to make the greatest impact.”
Soles4Soles repurposes and distributes shoes to supply its micro-enterprise, disaster relief, and direct assistance programs. With locations and warehouses across three continents, Soles4Souls has been able to distribute more than 73 million pairs of shoes and pieces of clothing in 129 countries since 2006.
“This donation will be sent to the areas of greatest need around the world,” says Richmond-based Soles4Soles Senior Director of Business Development Stephanie Whitmore. “We love that we can become an extension of Stegmann’s commitment to be low-waste and community-focused.”
Through other partnerships here in Virginia, Soles4Soles has helped keep 1 million pounds of landfills and create $4 million in economic impact.
“We are thrilled to be part of this movement,” Jacobs says. “We hope our comfortable shoes bring relief and hope to people who may need it most.”
About Soles4Souls
Soles4Souls turns unwanted shoes and clothing into opportunity by keeping them from going to waste and putting them to good use: providing relief, creating jobs and empowering people to break the cycle of poverty. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, the organization repurposes product to supply its micro-enterprise, disaster relief, and direct assistance programs. With locations and warehouses across three continents, Soles4Souls has been able to distribute more than 73 million pairs of shoes and pieces of clothing in 129 countries since 2006. Visit soles4souls.org for more information.
