One Thousand Soles is a annual shoe drive where high schools compete to collect as many shoes as possible to donate.  Created by South’s Advancement Via Individual Determination [AVID] team in 2012, the organization was designed by student for youth in need.  This year it is South’s mission is to accumulate 500 pairs of shoes by having all students and families of the south community participate.

“So far we have 350 shoes.  Our original goal was 500 and hopefully we can make it,” Sarah Keck, a math and AVID teacher at South, said.

The time zone to donate shoes for the school’s drive was from April 10 to April 21.  High schools competing are McKay, McNary, West, South Salem, North Salem, Sprague, Early College, Blanchet Catholic, and other middle and elementary schools.  According to AVID teacher Keck, the AVID team is trying to acquire as much shoes as possible.

“All the shoes we collect get cleaned by volunteers,” Keck said.  “Anybody in Marion and some of Polk County can get some shoes.”