About Us
We are a student-run nonprofit fighting homelessness one pair at a time.
Founded by UCLA students in 2021, Spare a Pair is a volunteer organization dedicated to providing Los Angeles' unhoused population with new socks and new or gently used sneakers. Through fundraising events and donations, we gather resources in order to put these much-needed items in the hands of people facing homelessness in Westwood and the greater Los Angeles community.
Meet the Board
Our Story
Spare a Pair was founded by a group of childhood friends who, while attending UCLA together during the pandemic, witnessed the worsening homelessness crisis in Los Angeles firsthand. We noticed that one problem was not getting much attention: shoelessness among unhoused individuals. While there were plenty of food drives, opportunities to donate money, and more, no one seemed to be asking for shoes! After speaking with our peers, we also noticed that many people had a surplus of lightly-used shoes sitting in the back of their closets, just waiting to be thrown out.
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In founding Spare a Pair, we hope to raise awareness about what a pair of shoes could mean to someone else, provide opportunities to have these sneakers donated, and get them into the hands of people who will use them every day. Something as simple as a pair of shoes can have a significant impact on a person's overall well-being and quality of life. With your help, we can make a positive difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate.