SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — About 250 pairs of shoes arrived at the St. Francis House Monday. Staff and volunteers unpacked boxes and sorted them by size. The residents, who ironically are trying to get back on their feet, aren’t used to getting new shoes.

“We have never gotten this many pairs of shoes, and many of our guests we got them out, and they are tickled to have a new pair,” said St. Francis House CEO Julie Becker.

One of the residents trying on a new pair had no socks and was wearing shoes that were too big for him. Mathew Sangster with Fit My Feet says new ownership wanted to make an impact right away.

“The guests here normally are just wearing used donations so we can get everyone here a fresh pair of shoes, something comfortable to walk in throughout the day, and yeah, we just want to help the local community,” said Sangster. “The new owner came in and wanted to get off to the right start, and we know a lot of people don’t have an opportunity to get brand new shoes, and so this was a really good way to, you know, the guests here normally are wearing used donations.”

“We are a working program,” said Becker. “So many get up, and they walk a long distance to work, they ride their bikes, and when they come home, and they know that they get to try on a new pair of shoes just like the rest of us do, it really makes them feel that they are just like us,” said Becker.

The St. Francis House residents are getting shoes made by Rocket Dog and Muvezs. Some are a slipper-shoe hybrid. Sangster says the donation is a win-win for Fit My Feet and the non-profits.

“You know we had some volunteers help unload the trailer, some of them being guests here. So to see the excitement on their faces that they are going to be getting a brand new pair of shoes makes it worth it all,” said Sangster.

Sangster says Fit My Feet also donated around 400 pairs of shoes to the Dress for Success program.