With 20.5 million jobs lost amid the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, the shoe industry continues to face severe cut backs as a staggering 60% of the industry, more than 100,000 people, have been laid off or furloughed.
Our team hears their stories every day. The employees who helped our industry thrive are now trying to figure out how to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. They are also delaying payments on rent or mortgages, utilities and car loans, creating insurmountable financial hardship for so many of them.
Last week, Two Ten surpassed the $1.5 million mark in COVID-19 crisis aid.
Since we started COVID-19 assistance on March 16, 2020, we have helped over 2,500 footwear employees who have been laid off or furloughed as a result of the pandemic and we anticipate a ripple effect of financial hardships for an another 12 to 18 months.
While the industry has been hard hit across all sectors, the majority of calls for assistance are coming from retail and warehouse workers. Two thirds of calls are from females, the majority of which are single moms who are concerned with child care, food, and rent.
In the true spirit of Two Ten’s core mission to take care of each other in times of need, companies are supporting our COVID-19 Crisis Relief Fund by donating footwear to the COVID-19 Share Your Shoes Campaign that can be monetized; launching cause marketing campaigns featuring limited edition products; and pledging a portion of proceeds from their website sales.
You can also help your industry colleagues directly with a donation to Two Ten – every dollar makes a difference.
With your support, we will make it through this crisis stronger than before.
