21-05-2025
Shoes for the homeless, year 33: Guarantee Shoes rustles up 8,000 pairs for the needy
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) – If you're like most people, you've got too many shoes – colors, fits, and styles that just don't work for you anymore.
If you're a typical resident of one of Bakersfield's homeless centers, you very likely don't have enough decent shoes.
Maybe none at all.
The solution would seem obvious enough.
It did for Rosco Rolnick, 33 years ago.
That's when the third generation owner of Guarantee Shoe Center launched his Shoes for Our Homeless Shoe Drive.
In a third of a century, the downtown Bakersfield institution has collected 120,000 new and used shoes, coordinating with the Open Door Network to distribute footwear to the unhoused and victims of domestic violence. In 2025, the effort collected 8,000 pairs of shoes.
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That's 16,000 shoes for the math-challenged among us.
Collection was a huge undertaking. Now comes the equally daunting task of distribution.
Lauren Skidmore of the Open Door Network can explain how it works.
'We are going to distribute this among the entire homeless population,' she said at Tuesday's press conference announcing the collection total. 'We'll make sure that every shelter has access to a quality pair of shoes for each of their clients. We know we have over 1,000 individuals in shelters right now. We're going to make sure they have access to these shoes and then there are 8,000 pairs of shoes that we're receiving today so we're going to be able to store the shoes and keep them throughout the year for new clients that are coming in.'
Skidmore's agency serves more than the homeless, noted supporter Nona Darling.
'Not only is it homeless people who need shoes but also survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking,' she said. 'They're all served by the Open Door Network.'
Anyone can help, according to Jim Darling, who has helped coordinate the shoe drive for years.
'Everybody has a pair of shoes they bought, that I bought, that you bought, that sit in our closet,' he said. 'We think they're (no longer) cool, they are not comfortable, they don't fit right, they're out of style, whatever it is, but they're good, usable shoes that someone in need would really appreciate.'
Rolnick, who's been at the corner of 21st and Chester these many decades, is grateful for the continuing community support.
'It's just heartwarming to know that I can change somebody's life with a decent pair of shoes,' he said. 'Some worn, some new. It's just been incredible.'
First you're hearing of this worthy cause? Guarantee Shoe Center is collecting your wearable used shoes year-round. Just drop them at the downtown store at 2101 Chester Ave.
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