Shoe drive to benefits health patients

The CMHC Foundation is working with Funds2Orgs, a Florida-based company that repurposes gently used shoes and sends them to people in underserved countries.

Funds2Orgs will pay CMHC 40 cents per pound of shoes donated.

CMHC's goal is to raise 2,500 pairs of shoes before Aug. 19.

All money raised will help Douglas County behavioral health patients who cannot afford the costs for treatment and other basic living expenses.

"If a patient cannot afford the co-payment for their psychotropic medication, a request can be made to the foundation to assist in securing the medication," said Sherry Glasnapp, director of the Douglas County Community Mental Health Center. "The foundation has purchased winter coats for patients leaving the inpatient unit, hygiene kits and many other items that most people take for granted."

The public is invited to donate new or gently-worn shoes of all types and sizes at the Douglas County Health Center, 4102 Woolworth Ave. in Omaha through Aug. 19.

Donations can be left at the lobby front desk between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.