GSF Newsletter

A Note from Sam

This summer, Grounded Soles Foundation showed up, and so did this community. From the Back to School Bash at Little Mill Middle School to deepening partnerships across Forsyth County, Q3 was a season of action. We distributed shoes, built new relationships, and laid groundwork that will carry us into one of our biggest quarters yet. Thank you for being part of this. None of it happens without you.

Samantha Cambridge, Founder & Executive Director

Program Spotlight: Back to School Bash

This summer's anchor event was the Back to School Bash at Little Mill Middle School on August 1st. The Bash served more than 300 students alongside Brownsbridge Church and other community partners, and GSF provided 91 pairs of shoes directly to students. Volunteers from Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Counties, along with friends of Grounded Soles, helped set up the shoe closet, sort inventory, and bag shoes for students.

Many of those shoes came from our founding partner, Big Peach Running Co., alongside pairs purchased through our Summer Giving Campaign. Thank you, Big Peach, for helping students start the year on solid ground. Every pair represents a student who showed up ready.

Our Back to School Bash team at Little Mill Middle School

Shoes ready for students, and volunteers bagging them up

We also received a thank-you card from the school's Attendance Committee, which said more than any metric could. It reminded us why the work matters and why we keep showing up.

The Attendance Committee, Back to School Bash

Step In for Grounded Soles

This summer we launched our first fundraiser, the Step In for Grounded Soles Summer Giving Campaign, which ran July 1 through September 1. Thanks to every person who gave, shared, or showed up, we raised $4,010.62. Those funds helped us purchase shoes for students at the Back to School Bash and continue to support our mission of making sure footwear is never a barrier to education, employment, or economic stability.

Every Pair Accounted For

We've always tracked every pair of shoes from donation to distribution. This quarter, we added barcode scanning to our digital inventory system, making it faster and easier to see where each pair came from and where it was distributed.

Partner Spotlight

Big Peach Running Co. remains GSF's founding in-kind partner, and their commitment continues to anchor our ability to put quality shoes in the hands of those who need them. Their signed shoe donation agreement was one of the first building blocks of Grounded Soles Foundation, and we are deeply grateful.

Visiting our founding partner, Big Peach Running Co.

Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Counties became an official community partner of Grounded Soles Foundation this quarter. Their volunteers were right beside us at the Back to School Bash, setting up the shoe closet, sorting inventory, and bagging shoes for students. We are grateful to have them walking alongside us.

Walmart Store #4436 awarded GSF a $2,500 Spark Good grant this quarter. Thank you for investing in our community and in our mission.

Brownsbridge Church and GSF each showed up independently at the Back to School Bash, and after working alongside each other that day, we have agreed to partner going forward. GSF will take the lead on impact reporting and processing, and together we look forward to expanding our reach in the community.

United Way of Forsyth & Dawson Counties is an organization we connected with this quarter, and we look forward to exploring ways to work together. Their investment in the well-being of our county aligns directly with our mission.

We are always looking for mission-aligned partners. If your organization serves students, families, or individuals facing barriers, or if you're simply looking for a way to make a tangible impact, we'd love to connect. Reach out to us at info@groundedsolesfdn.org.

What's Coming in Q4

Q4 is our busiest and most impactful season, and we're stepping into it with real momentum. Here's what's ahead:

• Howl-oween at Cumming City Center, October 24, 4pm to 8pm. Thank you to Cumming City Center for giving us the opportunity to be part of this family and pet friendly community celebration! Stop by the GSF table to meet our team, learn more about our mission, and grab a treat. We'll also be collecting new and gently used shoes in all sizes and styles, so bring a pair to donate.
• Growing with Brownsbridge Church. We're building on our new partnership, with GSF taking the lead on impact reporting and processing. Bigger things are coming.
• One East. We're excited to share that One East, a cluster of schools in the Forsyth County School District, is looking to GSF to provide shoes at their next Back to School Bash. More details to follow as we get closer.
• A Season for Giving, All Season Long. As the giving season approaches, we invite you to make footwear philanthropy part of your annual tradition. Not just tied to one holiday, but an ongoing commitment to your community. A pair of shoes given in October matters just as much as one given in December.
• Expanding Our Reach. GSF currently partners with Forsyth County schools, but our mission doesn't stop at county lines. We are inviting school districts in surrounding counties to reach out and explore how GSF can support their students. Proper footwear is a basic necessity, and we believe everyone, regardless of zip code, deserves to show up ready.
• Workforce Ready, Coming Soon. Shoes aren't just for students. In Q4, we'll be sharing exciting news about how GSF is expanding its reach to support adults on their path to employment and economic stability. Stay tuned.

Q4 is when the community feels the impact most. Let's make it count.

How You Can Help Right Now

One pair of shoes can change the trajectory of a person's life. That's not just a tagline. It's the reason Grounded Soles Foundation exists. Here's how to be part of it:

• Donate shoes. Shop our Amazon Wish List, or ship shoes directly to us at 5067 Post Road, Suite 203-103, Cumming, GA 30040. All sizes and all styles. New shoes are preferred, and gently used shoes are welcome.
• Give financially. Every dollar helps us fill the gaps. Visit our donation page to make a monetary gift.
• Volunteer. Virtual and in-person roles are available. Reach out to us at info@groundedsolesfdn.org to get connected.
• Host a shoe drive. Turn your workplace, school, or organization into a collection point. We'll provide everything you need.
• Share this newsletter. Forward it to someone who believes in removing barriers. Your network is our network.

Thank you for stepping in for Grounded Soles. 👟