They're out of style, too big, too small, pinch your feet. Whatever the reason, those unused shoes that get buried in the back of closets can easily be taken for granted. Soles for Souls, a Nashville-based organization, has donated thousands of such shoes, several hundred pairs coming from the Vanderbilt community, to those in need in communities in both the United States and worldwide.

"The idea of collecting shoes for those in need is actually really simple, but through our volunteers, press and events, we were able to turn something simple into a phenomenon," said Soles for Souls Communications Director Chris Carmichael.

According to Carmichael, the organization is open to any ideas and invites everyone to work with them.

"We're happy to take any volunteer, if they want to do something creative in their community with Soles for Souls, we'll support them," Carmichael said.

At Vanderbilt, Karen Shannon, administrative assistant in the Office of Campus Recreation, took on their offer and decided to initiate her own volunteer efforts at Vanderbilt during the summer.

"I heard about Soles for Souls and decided to research it online," said Shannon. "The organization mailed me boxes and banners and signs to set up. During the summer, there was a summer camp program, and I would set up donation boxes during camp time."

The donation effort started the third week of June and ended Aug. 8. During that time, Shannon collected between 300 and 400 pairs of shoes, ranging from dress shoes to boots to flip-flops.

"The shoes kept spilling over the boxes. When the donation time was over, my church continued to donate so my pastor allowed me to set up donation there until Oct. 12," Shannon said. "So far we have over 100 pairs."

With the recent events of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, Soles for Souls sent over 85,000 pairs of shoes to those in need and also to victims in Haiti. During Katrina, Soles for Souls collected and sent 25,000 pairs to the impacted region. Soles for Souls also sends donations to 62 other countries and works with the American Red Cross and various church groups.

"We work with the footwear industry, and various companies donate new brand name shoes," Carmichael said. "We also sponsor golf tournaments, fashion shows and we have our signature retail shoe drive where retailers let customers donate shoes and get discounts on new shoes."

Soles for Souls was started in response to the damages of the tsunami that hit southern Asia in 2004. About 60 percent of the shoes donated by companies are new. For more information, visit http://www.soles4souls.org.