Communal Sole Club: A movement with heart, sole, and New Bedford roots

Sometimes the most powerful movements start small. A meal shared. A conversation sparked. A pair of sneakers passed along with love. That’s how Communal Sole Club was born.

Back in 2021, a giveback brunch turned into something bigger. A creative company that uses sneakers to bring people together, support local businesses, and reimagine what community care looks like. Founded by New Bedford native, Sheree Andrews, now based in Brooklyn, Communal Sole Club is about connection, creativity, and conscious action. 

What is Communal Sole Club? At its core, it’s a way of showing up for the people around you. The company was built on the idea that sneakers can start conversations, open doors, and create meaningful change. Through community events, workshops, partnerships with local businesses, and nationwide programming, or just lacing up and taking a community walk together, they’re all about building something real and doing it with style. All in all, it is a powerful tool for wellness, sustainability, and social engagement. 

Sneakers are just the beginning. Communal Sole Club is creating space for deeper connection and smarter sustainability. They have successfully collected and donated over 2,000 sneakers across four states, Kept 1,750 lbs of footwear OUT of landfills, Hosted events like “The Kickback” (a sneaker donation and giveback program that links small businesses with people they serve), Lead workshops like Sole Fresh, Sole Clean that teaches how to extend the life of your shoes while reducing waste, and up cycling used sneakers into things like sneaker planters. You can find them in NYC, LA, DC, Philly, and of course right here in NBMA.

Want to join the Communal Sole Club mission?

If you’re part of the Groundwork coworking community, or just someone who wants to give back locally, you can help support Communal Sole Club’s mission today. A sneaker donation box is now located at U7 in Downtown New Bedford. They’ll be cleaned, refreshed, and given a second life in the hands (and on the feet) of someone who needs them.

Get involved in a workshop or event. Follow @communalsoleclub on Instagram or at communalsole.com to stay in the loop. From walks to clean-ups to pop-up events, there’s always something moving.

Have an idea? A business? Just want to lend a hand? Communal Sole Club is always down to collaborate with people who care.

At the end of the day, it’s not just about sneakers. It’s about sole. And showing up for each other, one step at a time.

Big love to the Communal Sole Club fam and to all of you helping make change feel personal, local, and real.