Your Support Is Key To Our Success
Shoe Drop-Off
How the Community can help
At Zapatos, Inc., we are dedicated to stepping up our efforts in addressing this issue. If you have shoes to donate, just give a call and you can drop them off at the address listed below, or someone will be happy to pick them up. Just give us a call and tell us what you prefer.
Permanent drop off location:
Texas Cavaliers Office
909 NE Loop 410, Suite 903
San Antonio, TX 78209
Mission Statement
Helping our children achieve success from their first steps into school and on into college. Zapatos strives at helping society’s less fortunate families in the poorest communities of Bexar County by providing new shoes to these children.
Our Motto
NO shoes, NO service
Does that sound familiar?
Without shoes, “no service” can mean no job, no opportunity, no chance in life. With shoes, doors open to schools, to universities, to jobs, to life. Give a child a pair of shoes!
SHOES ARE FOUNDATIONAL;
SHOES ARE FUNDAMENTAL.
How it Works
One Step at a Time
We work through the school counselors, social workers and/or family liaisons. They contact us with referrals for children in need. If we do not have the shoes in our stock, we purchase them and take them to the school which then gives them to the child. We strive for a one to two-day turn around. No child should have to wait for shoes.
Our Story
Walking To a Better Future
I was diagnosed with Leukemia about 5 years ago. I started undergoing chemo shortly thereafter. One day while sitting in my chair getting treatment, I took a picture of the shoes I was wearing and posted them on Facebook with an inspirational message. Each day thereafter, I posted a different pair of shoes with a different message. I did not want this cancer to define me, so to let everyone know that I was doing well and in good spirits, I continued to post a different pair of shoes. Suddenly, I started receiving shoes from friends and strangers to wear.
It was during one of my sessions that I was inspired to start Zapatos. Call it divine intervention or, my experiencing an epiphany, but something told me, stop posting your shoes and start putting shoes on kids, and that is exactly what I did.
I went to an attorney who incorporated Zapatos and an accountant to get us our nonprofit status.
Zapatos is an all-volunteer nonprofit corporation that provides compassionate help to families in financial crisis by furnishing shoes to school-age boys and girls in San Antonio. Through donations from generous individuals and constant fundraising efforts, we were able to fit over 700 boys and girls with new shoes in 2017. By the end of 2018, I anticipate fitting over 2000 boys and girls with footwear.
San Antonio has one of the highest percentages of children living in poverty in the country. In many schools in San Antonio, as much as up to 92% of the children qualify for free or reduced lunch. This is an indication of the level of poverty in our inner city schools. These kids need shoes in order to participate in sports, ROTC, after school work programs, high school graduation ceremonies and especially daily use. Not having a proper pair of shoes limits their participation in opportunities offered to children by the school system and society.
Zapatos was founded in 2015 and started providing shoes in 2016 when we got our 501(c)(3). Over 300 students were served in 2016 and 703 in 2017. This year, we will fit over 2000 students.
If getting Leukemia was what started me on this journey, I wouldn’t take another road.
Maria Gloria Martinez passed on January 4, 2021 of complications due to leukemia. She is missed by all and her work continues.
Help Us Make a Difference
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that has” ~Margaret Mead
OUR COMMUNITY. OUR SCHOOLS. OUR CHILDREN
For a child, a good pair of shoes that fits can be the key to starting the day on a good note. Dozens of children in Bexar County face the challenge of putting on shoes that fit if they have a pair of shoes at all. We hope that you can join us to make a difference in a child’s life by contacting us to see how you can help.
Donation Appreciation
