If you’ve got a bunch of old shoes lying around, you can make it easier for your future self by donating them. If you don’t want to leave the house, there are lots of places online that will do it for free.
Contact local shoe stores and clothing stores. Some places that sell shoes also sell empty boxes for free or very cheap (especially if you buy several at a time). You could also ask if they know of any local places to get free boxes.
Retailers
If you approach the store manager, shoe stores and general merchandise businesses may be happy to provide you with complimentary shoeboxes. Customer service staff from the following stores advised us that if you contact individual, local store managers, you might be able to receive complimentary shoeboxes (though availability varies by location)
Morton’s
Retail stores and some large department stores such as Macy’s offer a free shoe box for a donation of new or gently used children’s shoes. Ask at your local store to ensure that it’s available at your local store.
Costco
Costco is another great place to get free shoe boxes. Ask whether there are any box requests at the customer service counter. The company offers both 20-count and 50-count boxes that it stocks at its warehouses for you to pick up for free.
DICK’S Sporting Goods
Shoe donations are also accepted at DICK’S Sporting Goods, but the company asks that you contact your local store first to ensure availability of boxes before visiting or shipping your shoes in.
DSW
You can donate your old shoes to DSW, but you must request a box in advance. After choosing the drop-off location during checkout on DSW’s website, you can add a free shoe box upgrade at no additional cost.
Famous Footwear
If you donate a pair of shoes, you can get a free box at Famous Footwear. If you donate with a receipt, the same size and style of box will be given to another customer in need.
Finish Line
You can request a free shoe box with your next purchase and the box is guaranteed to be in good condition (that means no holes in it). However, they recently started charging for this service.
Foot Locker
Foot shops have been known to give out shoeboxes for free if the purchaser is willing to donate them after wearing them out. Ask store personnel or call corporate headquarters at 1-800-531-4900 for further details on availability and donation guidelines.
Finish Line
You can request a free shoe box with your next purchase and the box is guaranteed to be in good condition (that means no holes in it). However, they recently started charging for this service.
JCPenney
The retail giant offers a free shoe box with your purchase for a new pair of shoes or an old pair that you no longer wear. You can request a free shoe box from the store associate.
Kohl’s
You can get a free shoebox from Kohl’s, but you must drop off the box at either a store location or via UPS. In addition, while some stores will give out boxes for free if they have donations, other locations may set the minimum donation amount at $10.
Marshalls Kids Stores
Marshall’s and Marshalls Kids Stores will give out shoeboxes for free for any item other than jewelry or electronics, but they will require that the shoebox be returned when it is full to qualify for a replacement.
Foot Locker
Foot shops have been known to give out shoeboxes for free if the purchaser is willing to donate them after wearing them out. Ask store personnel or call corporate headquarters at 1-800-531-4900 for further details on availability and donation guidelines.
Shoe C
You can request a free shoe box with your next purchase and the box is guaranteed to be in good condition (that means no holes in it). However, they recently started charging for this service.
Rack Room Shoes
Rack Room shoes will give you a free shoebox if you donate your old shoes. You can also donate gently used or new clothing and accessories.
JCPenney
A JCPenney employee told us that you’ll get a free box if the customer is willing to donate them after wearing them out. Ask the store manager at your local store for details.
Famous Footwear
A customer service representative from Famous Footwear told us that you can get a free box from Famous Footwear if you come in with your own shoes. You can also get a free shoe box from Famous Footwear if you make a donation of children’s shoes at one of their retail stores.
Where to Drop off Your Shoe or Shoe Boxes
Recycling Centers
Many recycling centers may be willing to give away and accept shoe boxes if you bring them in. If these recycling centers aren’t near, it could be worth bringing them to a nearby store that participates. Some stores may even give you a little discount on your purchase.
You can contact them via address:
Arlington Recycling Centers
Arlington, Virginia
Phone: (202) 545-2161
Location: 1201 S. Irving St., Arlington, VA 22204
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-4pm. Please call ahead to schedule drop off.
Contact Email: [email protected]
Crabtree Recycling Center
Clifton, New Jersey
Phone: (609) 984-3238
Location: 801 Park Ave, Clifton, New Jersey 07012 Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-5pm. Please call ahead to schedule drop off.
Contact Email: [email protected]
Shoes and More
It is located at 2001 Public Service Place in Dallas, Texas. They take plastic shoes, boots and sandals. They will also take your used or broken leather shoes for reuse or sale. You can drop off your shoes at any one of their locations in Dallas, Austin and Ft Worth. All of their locations accept donations with no appointment needed, so you can just bring them to the door without having to call ahead first. You can view their hours of operation on their website.
Project Soles
Project Soles accepts donations from the public at all times of the year. To make a larger donation, appointments are recommended. They accept used shoes and boots of all kinds including adults, children and infants. Everyone benefits from this Austin organization because they put your donations to work in their global relief efforts. For more information about this charity, visit their website here.
Salvation Army
You can also donate your used shoe boxes to the Salvation Army. They receive new shoes for people in need for free. If you aren’t planning on donating your used shoe boxes this year, consider picking them up while you’re out shopping instead.
Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts is where you want to go for a shoebox donation. Not only is it free but they will also come pick them up from you. They do not have a limit on how many shoeboxes they can collect per person and scout leader and if you would like to donate them in bulk, all the better for them.
FAQs
What are some other places to get free shoe boxes?
Many places and charities give away shoeboxes and donate their old shoes and clothing every year. You can save time by researching where other places do this.
Why should I donate my shoeboxes?
The company Operation Christmas Child has collected more than 117 million shoe boxes since 1993. The boxes are delivered to children in more than 150 countries.
Will the leftover boxes go to waste?
Operation Christmas Child collects old sneakers that are no longer used. They donate the shoes to military personnel stationed in over 150 countries. Your boxes will also be used for shoeboxes for children overseas.
Where can I donate my box to?
To contact any of the regional consortia below, you can call (800) 334-7678. Or you could drop off boxes at local churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, and community organizations that give away shoeboxes. Or you could call the following places for pickup or donation.
Where could I buy shoe boxes?
Shoe boxes can be found at local shoe stores and clothing stores across the United States.