Sneakery and other local shops recycle shoes for people in need

Those old but perfectly usable shoes languishing in the bottom of your closet can be sent to someone in need – and several local stores will help you do just that, and maybe even give you a reward.
The Sneakery at 612 NW 65th St. in Lower Phinney/East Ballard is just one store accepting gently worn shoes for people in need for the Soles4Souls shoe charity, which estimates that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unused shoes in their closets. You can drop off your old shoes any time during December, but if you do it this Friday, Dec. 12, you’ll get 20 percent off a new pair of shoes.
Market Street Shoes and Market Street Athlete in Ballard are also participating. To see the complete list of Seattle stores accepting shoes, click here.