Free Donation Pickups for Used Shoes, Boots and Footwear
DonateYourStuff.ca provides free scheduled donation pickup for qualifying footwear across the GTA and select surrounding communities. We accept everyday shoes, sneakers, children’s footwear, athletic shoes, sandals, dress shoes and boots.
Footwear should be clean, matched and wearable, with usable soles, stable heels and working laces, straps, buckles or zippers. Both shoes must be included and kept together as a pair.
Submit a pickup request with your location, the approximate number of pairs, bags or boxes and a general description of the footwear you have. We will review your request and contact you by email about pickup availability.
Shoe Donations We Accept
Shoe donations can include everyday footwear, children’s shoes, athletic shoes, work shoes, formal footwear, sandals and different types of boots. Each type has a few important things to check, including the soles, heels, tread, fit, closures and overall wear.
The sections below explain the types of footwear we accept and what to check before adding each pair to your pickup request.
Why Condition Matters
We collect a wide range of used footwear that can continue to be worn.
Whether you are donating several pairs from one person, footwear from an entire family, shoes from an estate, surplus inventory from a business or a larger collection organized through a community drive, condition and cleanliness matter most.
Shoes should have usable soles, intact uppers, secure heels and working closures.
Footwear must be clean, completely dry and free from mould, mildew, pests, heavy staining, strong odours and excessive wear.
Every pair must include both matching shoes.
Everyday & Casual Shoes
We accept qualifying:
- Casual shoes
- Walking shoes
- Everyday sneakers
- Canvas shoes
- Slip-on shoes
- Loafers
- Flats
- Boat shoes
- Fashion sneakers
- Casual leather shoes
- Casual lace-up shoes
- Moccasins
- Clean house shoes
- Other reusable everyday footwear
Everyday shoes should be clean, comfortable and suitable for normal use.
Soles should remain firmly attached and should not be worn through, badly cracked or heavily uneven.
Laces, zippers, straps, buckles and other closures should work properly.
Keep matching shoes secured together before packing.
Athletic Shoes & Sneakers
We accept qualifying:
- Running shoes
- Walking shoes
- Cross-training shoes
- Gym shoes
- Basketball shoes
- Volleyball shoes
- Tennis shoes
- Court shoes
- Soccer cleats
- Baseball cleats
- Football cleats
- Golf shoes
- Cycling shoes
- Wrestling shoes
- Track shoes
- Training sneakers
- Other reusable athletic footwear
Athletic shoes should be clean, dry and free from heavy wear, separation, damaged soles and strong odours.
Cleats and studs should remain secure and should not be broken or excessively worn.
Shoes should retain enough support and structure for continued use.
Athletic footwear with badly compressed interiors, exposed cushioning, cracked midsoles or separating soles cannot be accepted.
Children’s & Youth Footwear
We accept qualifying:
- Children’s sneakers
- School shoes
- Children’s casual shoes
- Toddler shoes
- Baby shoes
- Children’s sandals
- Children’s dress shoes
- Children’s rain boots
- Children’s winter boots
- Youth athletic shoes
- Youth cleats
- Youth hiking shoes
- Youth slippers in clean condition
- Other reusable children’s footwear
Children’s shoes should be clean, complete and suitable for continued wear.
Check the toes, heels, soles, insoles, straps and closures carefully. Children’s footwear should not be badly misshapen, heavily scuffed, worn through or damaged by moisture.
Remove names and personal identification whenever possible.
Clearly label footwear sizes if they are not visible inside the shoes.
Boots & Winter Footwear
We accept qualifying:
- Winter boots
- Snow boots
- Insulated boots
- Rain boots
- Rubber boots
- Hiking boots
- Walking boots
- Ankle boots
- Casual boots
- Fashion boots
- Leather boots
- Work-style boots in reusable condition
- Waterproof boots
- Winter hiking boots
- Cold-weather work-style boots
- Tall boots
- Children’s boots
- Children’s winter boots
- Other manageable reusable boots
Boots should be clean, completely dry and free from mud, salt buildup, mould, mildew and strong odours.
Check the soles, heels, tread, seams, linings, zippers, buckles and laces. Soles should remain firmly attached and provide enough usable traction for continued wear.
Boots with cracked rubber, separating soles, damaged waterproof layers, broken zippers, badly worn tread or damaged interiors cannot be accepted.
Keep removable liners with the correct pair. Pack tall boots upright or support them with clean paper so they are not crushed or permanently folded.
Sandals & Warm-Weather Footwear
We accept qualifying:
- Walking sandals
- Casual sandals
- Sport sandals
- Children’s sandals
- Dress sandals
- Slides in good condition
- Beach shoes
- Water shoes
- Clean flip-flops with limited wear
- Other reusable warm-weather footwear
Sandals should have secure straps, intact footbeds and usable soles.
We cannot accept sandals with broken straps, cracked footbeds, heavily worn heels, strong odours or excessive wear where the previous owner’s foot shape is deeply compressed into the material.
Every pair should be cleaned before donation.
Dress Shoes & Formal Footwear
We accept qualifying:
- Men’s dress shoes
- Women’s dress shoes
- Oxford shoes
- Derby shoes
- Loafers
- Pumps
- Heels
- Formal flats
- Dress boots
- Wedding shoes
- Evening shoes
- Children’s formal shoes
- Other reusable formal footwear
Dress shoes should be clean and free from major scuffs, peeling material, broken heels and damaged soles.
Heels should remain secure and stable.
Buckles, straps, laces and other closures should work properly.
Store formal shoes in their original boxes whenever available. Otherwise, wrap or pack them carefully to avoid scratches and crushing.
Work Shoes
We accept qualifying:
- Work shoes
- Work boots
- Construction-style boots
- Service-industry footwear
- Non-slip work shoes
- Waterproof work boots
- Farm-style rubber boots
- Outdoor work boots
- Utility boots
- Other reusable work footwear
Work footwear must be clean, structurally sound and suitable for continued general use.
Remove mud, grease, paint, construction dust and other residue before donation.
Footwear with punctured soles, exposed protective components, severe wear, damaged toe areas or chemical contamination cannot be accepted.
Hiking & Outdoor Footwear
We accept qualifying:
- Hiking boots
- Hiking shoes
- Trail-running shoes
- Walking boots
- Outdoor sandals
- Approach shoes
- Camping footwear
- Waterproof trail shoes
- Children’s hiking footwear
- Other reusable outdoor footwear
Outdoor footwear should be cleaned thoroughly.
Remove mud, stones, grass, leaves and other outdoor debris from the soles and treads.
Check for separating soles, damaged eyelets, torn linings, cracked waterproof materials and worn tread.
Dance, Performance & Specialty Shoes
We accept qualifying:
- Ballet shoes
- Jazz shoes
- Tap shoes
- Ballroom shoes
- Character shoes
- Dance sneakers
- Figure-skating accessories that are footwear related
- Bowling shoes
- Golf shoes
- Cycling shoes
- Other reusable specialty footwear
Specialty shoes should be clean, complete and functional for their intended use.
Check straps, fasteners, soles, plates, cleats and other attached components.
Keep any matching accessories with the correct pair.
Specialty footwear with missing structural parts, cracked components or unsafe damage cannot be accepted.
Slippers & Indoor Footwear
We accept qualifying:
- Clean slippers
- Indoor shoes
- House shoes
- Children’s slippers
- Moccasin-style slippers
- Supportive indoor footwear
- Other clean reusable indoor footwear
Slippers and indoor shoes must be freshly cleaned according to their care instructions.
They should be free from heavy wear, compressed interiors, staining, pet hair and strong odours.
Shoe Donations We Cannot Accept
We cannot accept footwear that is unsafe, heavily worn, contaminated, incomplete, damaged or improperly prepared.
Please do not donate:
- Single shoes without their matching partner
- Mismatched pairs
- Shoes with holes through the soles
- Shoes with separating soles
- Footwear with cracked or crumbling soles
- Shoes with broken heels
- Shoes with unstable heels
- Footwear with badly worn tread
- Shoes with exposed cushioning
- Shoes with exposed internal supports
- Footwear with major tears
- Shoes with broken straps
- Shoes with broken buckles
- Shoes with broken zippers
- Footwear with missing essential closures
- Shoes with severe peeling
- Shoes with badly damaged interiors
- Footwear with heavily compressed insoles
- Shoes that are badly misshapen
- Footwear that is excessively stretched
- Shoes with heavy staining
- Wet or damp footwear
- Footwear affected by mould or mildew
- Shoes with strong odours that cannot be removed
- Footwear exposed to pests
- Shoes contaminated with blood or bodily fluids
- Footwear contaminated with chemicals
- Shoes covered in oil, grease or paint
- Footwear affected by sewage or flooding
- Shoes with heavy mud or salt buildup
- Used footwear that cannot be properly cleaned
- Footwear mixed with garbage
- Shoes packed in wet or collapsing boxes
- Containers that are too heavy to lift safely
- Footwear that has not been prepared for pickup
Items that do not meet our donation standards may be declined at pickup.
How Many Shoes Are Needed for Pickup?
Our pickup service is intended for shoe donations large enough to reasonably justify sending a vehicle to your location.
One pair of shoes, one pair of boots or one small bag of footwear will usually not qualify for pickup on its own.
A donation is more likely to qualify when it includes:
- Several full bags or boxes of shoes
- Multiple pairs from several family members
- A larger children’s footwear collection
- Several pairs of winter boots
- Multiple pairs of athletic shoes or cleats
- Footwear collected during a move or downsizing project
- A larger estate footwear collection
- Surplus footwear from a retailer or business
- Shoes collected through a school, team or community drive
- Footwear combined with clothing or other accepted donation categories
How to Prepare Shoes for a Donation Pickup
Please prepare all footwear before your scheduled pickup.
Match every pair: Make sure each pair contains the correct left and right shoe in the same size, style and colour.
Secure pairs together: Tie the laces together, fasten straps or use a clean elastic band to keep each pair together.
Do not use tape directly on leather, fabric or other shoe surfaces.
Inspect every pair: Remove footwear with holes, separating soles, broken heels, damaged closures, mould, strong odours or excessive wear.
Clean the exterior: Remove dirt, mud, dust, grass, salt and other residue from the uppers, soles and treads.
Clean the interior: Empty every shoe and remove loose dirt, stones, pet hair, paper, personal items and old inserts that should not remain inside.
Wash washable footwear: Wash sneakers, canvas shoes, slippers and other washable footwear according to their care instructions.
Dry everything completely: Never pack damp shoes or boots. Moisture can cause mould, mildew and strong odours during storage and transportation.
Check soles and heels: Confirm that soles remain securely attached and heels are stable.
Check closures: Test laces, zippers, buckles, straps, hook-and-loop closures and other fastening systems.
Keep liners and insoles together: Place removable liners, insoles and other matching components inside the correct footwear.
Remove personal information: Remove full names, phone numbers, addresses, identification labels and other personal details whenever possible.
Organize by type: Separate adult shoes, children’s footwear, boots, athletic shoes, sandals and formal shoes whenever possible.
Organize by size: If the sizes are not easy to read, label the bag, box or pair with the approximate size.
Protect formal footwear: Use original shoe boxes whenever available. Otherwise, wrap formal shoes carefully to prevent scratches and crushing.
Support tall boots: Pack tall boots upright or lightly fill them with clean paper so they keep their shape.
Use strong containers: Pack footwear inside clean, strong and completely dry bags, boxes or storage containers.
Do not overpack: Use several manageable containers instead of creating one box or bag that is too heavy to lift safely.
Label every container: Use labels such as Adult Shoes, Children’s Shoes, Athletic Shoes, Winter Boots, Sandals or Formal Footwear.
Keep everything dry: Store prepared footwear indoors, in a dry garage or in another protected location until pickup.
Separate unacceptable footwear: Do not mix damaged, wet, mouldy, heavily worn or unmatched footwear with shoes approved for donation.
For complete instructions, review our how to prepare your donations page before pickup.
How a Shoe Donation Pickup Works
Step 1: Submit your pickup request: Complete the online form and provide your location, approximate number of bags, boxes and pairs, the main types of footwear included and whether other accepted donation categories are part of the request.
Step 2: We review your donation: We review your service location, estimated volume, footwear categories, overall condition, packaging, other accepted donations, available vehicle space and current route availability. We may request photographs or additional information by email.
Step 3: Receive email confirmation: Your pickup is only scheduled after you receive confirmation by email. Preferred dates and times submitted through the form are requests and are not automatically secured.
Step 4: Prepare and stage your footwear: Clean, inspect, pair and pack all approved shoes and boots. Keep footwear protected from rain, snow and moisture.
Step 5: We collect the approved footwear: Once your pickup is confirmed, our team collects the approved shoe donation. Footwear that is wet, damaged, heavily worn, contaminated, improperly packed or significantly different from what was described may be declined.
How Your Donations Help
Donating used shoes does more than clear space from closets, entryways, basements and storage areas.
It helps:
- Keep reusable shoes, boots and footwear in circulation
- Give outgrown or unwanted footwear another opportunity to be used
- Extend the useful life of sneakers, boots, sandals and dress shoes
- Keep reusable footwear out of landfills
- Reduce waste created by replacing usable shoes
- Create local work connected to pickup, sorting, preparation and distribution
- Support the continued expansion of the Thrift Society reuse network
- Support the Family Relief Program through a portion of the value created
- Build a stronger culture of reuse in Canadian communities
Shoe Donation Pickup Areas
Schedule Your Free Shoe Donation Pickup
Have several bags, boxes or a larger collection of used shoes ready to donate?
Submit a pickup request with your location, the types of footwear included, approximate quantities and the total number of bags and boxes.
Tell us if the donation includes adult shoes, children’s footwear, sneakers, winter boots, athletic shoes, formal shoes or other accepted donation categories.
We will review your request and contact you by email regarding availability.
Once approved, clean and inspect the footwear, secure every matching pair together and pack everything in clean, dry containers. We handle the collection so you do not have to transport the entire shoe donation to a donation centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I donate shoes near me?
DonateYourStuff.ca provides scheduled shoe donation pickup in select Ontario communities.
Check our donation pickup service areas page to confirm whether pickup is available in your city.
Can I drop off shoes instead of requesting pickup?
DonateYourStuff.ca provides a scheduled pickup service and does not operate a public shoe donation drop-off location.
Submit a pickup request with the amount of footwear you have and your location so we can determine whether the donation qualifies.
Can I choose where my donated shoes go?
No specific recipient, organization or destination can be guaranteed.
Accepted footwear is directed through the Thrift Society reuse network based on its condition, usefulness and current opportunities for continued use.
Can I donate shoes with a name written inside?
Names and initials do not always need to be removed when doing so would damage the footwear.
Personal information such as full names, addresses, phone numbers or identification numbers should be removed whenever possible before pickup.
What should I do with damaged shoes you cannot accept?
Damaged, mouldy, heavily worn or unusable footwear should not be included with your donation.
Recycling and disposal options vary by material and municipality. Check your local municipal waste guidelines or an appropriate textile and footwear recycling program for the correct option.
Do you accept shoe donations throughout the year?
Pickup requests can be submitted throughout the year.
Approval depends on your location, donation volume, footwear condition, available vehicle space and current scheduled routes.
Who We Are
DonateYourStuff.ca is the official donation pickup arm of Thrift Society, a Canadian social reuse initiative that keeps useful goods in circulation while creating local employment, supporting family relief and reducing waste.
Every qualifying shoe donation helps:
- Keep reusable shoes, boots and footwear in circulation
- Give unwanted footwear another opportunity to be used
- Create Canadian work connected to pickup, sorting, preparation and distribution
- Reduce waste by keeping reusable footwear out of landfills
- Support the continued expansion of the Thrift Society reuse network
- Support the Family Relief Program through a portion of the value created by donated items
A portion of the value created through donated items helps support the Family Relief Program and other work connected to the continued growth of the initiative.
Other Donations We Accept
- DVDs & Blu-rays
- VHS Tapes
- Cassette Tapes
- Vinyl Records
- Books & Learning Materials
- Household Items & Small Furniture
- Kitchen & Dining
- Clothing & Accessories
- Baby Items
- Arts, Crafts & Sewing
- Tools & Home Improvement
- Electronics
- Musical Instruments & Audio Gear
- Fitness & Exercise Equipment
- Sporting Goods
- Camping & The Outdoors
- Holiday, Costumes & Seasonal
- Mobility & Medical Aids
- Pet Supplies
- Office & School Supplies
- Jewelry & Accessories
- Collectibles & Memorabilia
- Wall Art & Home Décor
- Bedding, Linens & Textiles