Zapatos Inc.

Zapatos Inc. is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization founded in 2015 with the mission of providing new shoes to children in need across San Antonio, Texas.

Mission and Activities

The organization focuses on helping families in financial crisis by furnishing shoes to school-aged children. This service is crucial as it ensures that children have the necessary footwear for daily activities and special events like sports, graduation ceremonies, and other school programs. The importance of shoes is emphasized by Zapatos Inc. as a fundamental requirement that can impact a child's participation in educational and extracurricular activities.

History and Impact

Zapatos Inc. began distributing shoes in 2016 and has since made significant progress. In the first year, they served over 300 students, and by 2017, this number increased to over 700. In 2018, they distributed more than 2,000 pairs of shoes. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization continued its efforts and managed to distribute over 5,200 pairs of shoes during the 2022-2023 school year.

Partnerships and Events

Zapatos Inc. works closely with local institutions, including the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), to enhance their services. Their annual "Share the Shoes" drive, in collaboration with SAPD, collects new shoes and socks for children in need. This partnership significantly boosts donations, allowing them to reach more children across San Antonio. The campaign involves a friendly competition among SAPD substations to collect the most shoes.

Operations and Referrals

Zapatos Inc. relies on referrals from school counselors, social workers, and family liaisons to identify children who need shoes. They strive for a quick turnaround, aiming to provide shoes within one to three days of receiving a request. The organization accepts donations of new shoes in various sizes and encourages monetary contributions to purchase special sizes that might be less frequently donated.

Founding Inspiration

The founding of Zapatos Inc. was inspired by personal experiences and the desire to make a difference. The organization's motto, "Shoes are foundational; Shoes are fundamental," reflects the belief that having proper footwear is essential for children to fully participate in educational and societal opportunities.

Registration

Zapatos Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, committed to serving the community's less fortunate families by providing new shoes to those in need.

[1] https://foxsanantonio.com/news/focus-on-south-texas/zapatos-inc-helping-children-one-shoe-at-a-time [2] https://www.zapatosinc.org [3] https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2024/10/28/sapd-and-zapatos-inc-unite-for-annual-share-the-shoes-drive/ [4] https://www.zapatosinc.org/contact-us [5] https://www.zapatosinc.org/shoe-request