When Denise Biggs thinks about her mother, Katie, she remembers a simple lesson that has stayed with her for decades: always make sure your shoes fit and take care of your feet. Today, that lesson has grown into a mission that is helping thousands of children and families across Central Virginia.
Biggs is the founder of Katie’s Soles, a nonprofit organization based in Petersburg, Virginia, that collects and distributes gently used shoes, along with socks, hygiene items and other essentials, to people experiencing financial hardship. Named in honor of her late mother, the organization has become a powerful expression of love, compassion and community service.
What began as a personal tribute has evolved into a lifeline for countless families. Katie’s Soles partners with schools, community organizations and local events to ensure children have properly fitting shoes for school, athletes receive cleats, workers have slip-resistant footwear for their jobs and job seekers can step confidently into interviews. The nonprofit serves communities throughout Petersburg and across Central Virginia, meeting practical needs while restoring dignity and hope.
Biggs says her mother worked hard to provide shoes for her seven children, understanding that something as basic as a good pair of shoes could open doors and build confidence. That memory inspired her to create an organization that continues her mother’s generosity long after her passing.
The Heartitude Lens
Acts of kindness don’t always begin with grand gestures. Sometimes they start with remembering someone who showed us how to care for others. Denise Biggs transformed grief into generosity, proving that love can continue to ripple outward through everyday acts of service. Every donated pair of shoes represents more than footwear—it tells someone they matter, they are seen and they deserve to walk confidently into tomorrow. That’s Heartitude in action: leading with compassion, living with purpose and inspiring others to Go Give It.
Today, Katie’s Soles continues to rely on community donations as demand grows. Each pair of shoes collected becomes another opportunity to help a child succeed in school, support a parent returning to work or remind a neighbor that they are not alone.