Foot Mechanics podiatry has donated 130 pairs of shoes, on average each pair worth about $250, to Tauranga's homeless.
"It's good to have shoes that can support your sole," Mokoira Davies says, with some brand new black kicks sitting at his feet.
The 24-year-old, who is living on the street in central Tauranga, has just received a pair of $250 size 12 casual shoes specifically made for wide feet.
"I was just stoked and I thought that was real good," Davies says of the moment he was first told about the shoe donation.
"Shoes are always important when you're on the street."
Especially those that protect your feet and your soles, he says.
Davies' new high-quality therapeutic pair of shoes (Dr Comfort brand) was one of 130 pairs donated by Foot Mechanics podiatry yesterday, on average each worth about $250.
Mokoira Davies, 24, is living on the street in central Tauranga and is a regular visitor to Milo Night. Photo / George Novak
Receiving the shoes were Tracey Carlton and Kevin England, organisers of Milo Night – twice-weekly community gatherings to help the homeless in Tauranga's CBD.
"Incredible – it's the only word that will describe it."
He says with winter coming up it is important for those on the street to have a good pair of shoes, ones that will last.
"They're not going to have to worry about their feet too much. It's an amazing donation. It really is going to turn around and benefit the people who live on the streets and the homeless."
Most of the new shoes will be handed out at Milo Night on Monday.
"This is why Tracey and I and the team of volunteers do what we do – we're creating awareness where there is a need. These are not cheap shoes and they will last them for a long period of time."
Socks are also a necessity and Milo Night organisers are thinking of holding a sock drive in the lead up to winter, England says.
They are also looking at responding to other areas of need and welcome any offers of help – from dentists, doctors and eye specialists to name just a few of the priorities.
Foot Mechanics' Rosie Morrison (top) with Milo Night organisers Tracey Carlton and Kevin England alongside some of the 130 pairs of shoes donated to Tauranga's homeless. Photo / Andrew Warner
Rosie Morrison, relationship and brand manager at Foot Mechanics, says the company's Tauranga clinic in the CBD is close to where a lot of the city's homeless are.
"And we have some of them sleeping on our doorstep. We knew that this was something we could definitely help them with; we do have a lot of shoes, so we wanted to do our bit for the community."
She hopes the new shoes will help those living on the street stay warm and comfortable.
Morrison says the company recognises a lot of other local businesses are already doing their bit to help.
"And we just want to come on board and encourage everyone else to do the same."
Lorraine Miller, founder and owner of Foot Mechanics, says her company is excited to join the Milo Night effort.
"We're going to be taking our families down to give out the shoes and we're excited about what we can do as a local business and as a team to give back to the community."
She also says if her company meets anyone at Milo Night requiring urgent podiatry treatment, it will bring them in to the clinic and give them any treatment they need.
