Shoe cutting parties

Host a Sole Hope Shoe Cutting Party.

Gather your people, cut denim pieces that become shoes, and help children in Uganda walk without pain.

You are not doing a symbolic craft. You are literally touching the fabric that will be finished by Ugandan shoemakers and placed on the feet of real children.

Order your Shoe Party kit Email us with questions

Perfect for churches, schools, homeschool co ops, neighborhood groups, and small groups.

Volunteers tracing and cutting denim at a Sole Hope Shoe Cutting Party

A simple gathering that brings real change.

In parts of Uganda, children live with jiggers and other infections that burrow into their feet. The pain can be constant. Many kids limp, avoid play, or miss school completely.

A pair of simple, closed toe shoes helps protect healing feet from reinfestation and from other injuries and infections. It opens up opportunities that going barefoot held back.

When you host a Sole Hope Shoe Cutting Party, you give your group a hands on way to serve and you give children in Uganda a chance to walk, learn, and play in freedom.

How a Shoe Cutting Party works.

We make it easy to host. You provide the people and the denim. We provide the patterns, story, and support.

1. Order your kit

Order your Shoe Party kit online. You will receive patterns, instructions, and guidance to help you host with confidence.

Order a kit

2. Gather and cut

Invite your church group, school, homeschool co op, neighborhood, or friends. Watch a short Sole Hope video, hear the story, then trace and cut patterns from old jeans together.

3. Send and celebrate

Ship your cut pieces and donation. In Uganda, local tailors and shoemakers finish each pair with tire soles and our team fits them on children during clinics and outreach days.

Perfect for groups of every kind.

Shoe Parties are a great fit for:

  • Church small groups and youth groups
  • Schools and classrooms
  • Homeschool co ops and parent groups
  • Neighborhood and community groups
  • Bible studies and campus ministries
  • Service clubs and civic organizations
  • Family reunions and birthday parties
  • Student groups and sports teams
  • Local businesses and staff teams

Looking for a dedicated corporate experience for your company or conference. See the Team Building section below.

From denim to dignity.

Each Shoe Cutting Party supports the full work of Sole Hope in Uganda:

  • Medical relief and compassionate jigger removal in clinics
  • Hygiene and health education that prevents future outbreaks
  • Community outreach where feet are washed and children are reminded they are seen and loved
  • Fair wages for Ugandan shoemakers and tailors who craft each pair by hand using recycled denim and tire soles

These handmade shoes protect children from reinfestation and open the door to school, play, and opportunity.

Order a kit and start cutting
Hands holding Sole Hope denim shoes

Want a team building event that actually matters.

The Sole Hope Team Building Experience brings purpose into the workplace. Your team turns recycled denim into shoe pieces that become real shoes on real children in Uganda.

  • Schedule - We send your kit. You gather your team.
  • Connect - Learn the Sole Hope story and the impact of your work.
  • Transform - Your denim is finished by Ugandan shoemakers and placed on children who have been living with painful foot conditions.

Teams leave connected, inspired, and proud of what they accomplished together.

Explore Sole Hope Team Building
Corporate team building with Sole Hope, cutting denim together

Shoe Party FAQ.

Here are answers to the most common questions about hosting a Sole Hope Shoe Cutting Party.

What is a Shoe Cutting Party.
A Shoe Cutting Party is a simple, hands on way to make a difference. You gather your group, trace and cut shoe patterns from old denim, and send the pieces and your donation back to Sole Hope. In Uganda, shoemakers and tailors finish them into durable shoes with recycled tire soles and our team fits them on children during clinics and outreach days.
Who can host a Shoe Cutting Party.
Church groups, youth groups, schools, homeschool co ops, neighborhood groups, small groups, campus ministries, families, and companies can all host. If you can gather people around tables, you can host a Shoe Party.
Do we need a kit for each person.
No. One kit works for your whole group. You can trace the pattern onto file folders or card stock to make extra templates so multiple people can cut at the same time.
How many patterns come in a kit.
Each kit includes one universal shoe pattern size that works for a wide range of children. Everyone cuts the same size, which keeps things simple and consistent.
How much does it cost.
There is a suggested donation per pair of shoes to complete the process. Your group can give individually, fundraise together, or invite others to sponsor pairs. The donation helps cover medical care, outreach, education, and fair wages for Ugandan shoemakers and tailors.
Why can’t we just send cutouts without a donation.
We have learned that cutouts alone do not change lives. The donation ensures each pair you cut is completed, shipped, and delivered to a child as part of full care, not just a shoe.
What if our group cannot afford the suggested donation.
Many groups invite others to help. Bake sales, car washes, small offerings, classroom projects, and asking a local business or church to sponsor pairs are all great ways to involve your community in the impact.
How many people do we need to host.
There is no minimum or maximum. Some families host around a kitchen table, while others invite a youth group of fifty. You decide what works best for your group and space.
How long does a Shoe Cutting Party last.
Most parties last one to two hours. You can keep it simple with just cutting and conversation or create a full event with food, music, and a short Sole Hope video.
What supplies do we need.
You will need old denim jeans, sharp scissors, permanent markers, safety pins, and flat surfaces to work on. When you order a kit, we send patterns and hosting tips so you know exactly how to set up.
How much denim should we collect.
As a guide, one pair of adult jeans can make four to five pairs of shoes. Plan on one to two pairs of jeans per participant so everyone has enough to work with. Regular denim holds its shape better than stretch denim.
Can we decorate the denim.
Yes. Adding color and creativity is encouraged if you have time. Fabric markers or Sharpies work well and kids love this part.
What do we do with leftover denim scraps.
Scraps can be recycled through programs like Blue Jeans Go Green, where denim becomes insulation and other sustainable materials. Nothing has to go to waste.
Is this kid friendly.
Yes. Kids can help trace, cut with supervision, sort pieces, or decorate the uppers. It is a powerful way to teach children about serving others and seeing the impact of their actions.
What happens after we send everything back.
Your denim cutouts are shipped to Uganda, where skilled shoemakers and tailors finish each pair with recycled tire soles. The finished shoes are hand delivered to children and families during outreach clinics and at the Hope Center.
When should we order our kit.
We recommend ordering at least three weeks before your event to allow time for shipping and preparation.
How do we get started.
The easiest way to begin is to order your kit online and pick a date with your group. If you have questions, email info@solehope.org and our team will help.

Ready to host your Shoe Cutting Party.

Invite your people, grab some denim, and help children in Uganda step into health, dignity, and hope.

Order a kit and get started Email us with questions
  • People working on fabric sewing patterns on a table, with paper pattern pieces, notebooks, and coffee cups.
  • Blue paper cutout in the shape of a nose with writing that says 'Cut 4 jean pieces' and someone drawing with a black marker.
  • Group of people working on a sewing project with denim fabric and scissors at a conference table.
  • Five young women working on a sewing project at a table, surrounded by fabric, paper patterns, and sewing tools.
  • Person sewing fabric with scissors while others work at a table.
  • A woman smiling and sewing fabric at a work table with a sewing machine.
  • A person working on decorating a shoe with a hammer, surrounded by other fabric shoes in progress.
  • A young girl in a red and white checkered dress standing while a man in a green shirt kneels, helping her put on her shoes at an outdoor event.
  • A smiling young boy in a beige school uniform holding a pair of gray shoes and a white paper bag outdoors near a tree.
  • Group of smiling children in a classroom holding up shoes.
  • Three females, two adults and one young girl, sitting at a table working on sewing or craft projects with fabric and markers, smiling at the camera.