Reid Matteson surveys donations in the Shoes for the Shoeless drive.

From staff reports

The organizers of an annual shoe drive could use some help.

The 12th annual Shoes for the Shoeless is short of the number of donations it typically sees by this time in the drive.

It’s organized by Family Orthopedic & Shoe Repair, 112 S. Van Eps Ave., and its neighbor Steakout on East 10th Street.

We’re usually half-full at this point,” said Reid Matteson, owner of Family Orthopedic, while rummaging through a bag of donated shoes in the back of the storage trailer, which is only one-quarter full.

Matteson is inviting other businesses or groups to join in the effort.

Wearable shoes can be donated at either location or given to any Steakout delivery driver. They will be given through a partnership with the Union Gospel Mission to someone who might not otherwise have a pair of shoes for the winter.

The goal is to collect more than 15,000 pairs, which was achieved last year.

The drive runs through Oct. 31.