Roscoe Rolnik of Guarantee Shoe Center speaks about the origins of ‘Shoes for the Homeless’ donation drive

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — 17 News teamed up with Guarantee Shoe Center to collect new and gently used shoes for men, women and children living at the Open Door Network.

Guarantee Shoe Center owner, Roscoe Rolnik, joined 17 News at Sunrise to speak about the origins of the annual “Shoes for the Homeless” donation drive and the impact its had on Kern’s unhoused population.

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According to Rolnik, when the shoe drive started 34 years ago, the drive didn’t happen for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the drive received 150 donations. The number of donations kept climbing year after year.

“It started with a couple hundred, now we’re up to 2,000. Last year was just a banner year with over 6,00 pairs. This year our goal is 3,000 pairs but we’re still a little short. I need the public’s help.”

Rolnik added he wanted to help the less fortunate in town due to the unhoused population’s growth over the years.

There’s several different locations that you can drop off your new or gently used shoes to benefit Kern’s unhoused population.

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Your donations can be dropped off at Guarantee Shoe Center at the corner of 21st Street and Chester Avenue, at KGET studios on the corner of 22nd and L streets, Capital Dental Group on Camino Media, or REMAX Golden Empire on Coffee Road.

You can drop off your donations at those locations until May 9.

Watch Rolnik’s full interview in the video player for more details on the history of the shoe drive.

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