TAMPA, Fla. — A local nonprofit put a spin on a Halloween tradition to raise money to help children in Hillsborough County.
The nonprofit, Clothes to Kids, is handing out yard signs featuring purple sneakers. The sign tells neighbors "You've been SHOED!"
It's a spin on a Halloween tradition known as booing. Booing is where neighbors surprise other neighbors with treats.
Families leave the treats in a neighbor's yard with a note attached saying "You've Been Booed."
"The Halloween concept is you would boo somebody and ring their doorbell and run away. Well, this whole concept is you shoe them with our sign then you ring their doorbell and run away," said Jennifer Jacobs, Executive Director for Clothes to Kids.
Jacobs said the nonprofit's usual fundraisers were canceled due to the pandemic.
"This year because of where we’re at with the pandemic, we couldn’t have an event with 200-300 people so we said 'OK, we have to pivot and we have to do something creative.' We can’t get people together," said Jacobs.
The yard sign features a barcode. Once you scan it, a website pops up where you can donate to the nonprofit.
Clothes to Kids provides new and quality used clothing for free to families who are low-income. Each year, the nonprofit distributes `13,000 pairs of shoes.
"So when they come to shop, they get a pair of shoes. They get 5 new pairs of socks, 5 new pairs of underwear, 5 bottoms, 5 tops and a jacket when we're in season," said Jacobs.
Jacobs said they are always taking donations of clothing and shoes for both boys and girls.
"The ultimate goal of the shoed campaign is to raise awareness. There are kids in our community that don't have what they need to go to school and the need for clothes never stops," said Jacobs.
Jacobs said if anyone wants to participate in their creative Halloween tradition, please give them a call.
"If you want a purple sneakers shoe sign, please call us. We'd be happy to get you one," she said.
For more information on the nonprofit, click here.
