About the Foot Clinic
Asheville Street Feet is a strictly volunteer run foot clinic combining both herbal and conventional medicines that serves houseless and low-income communities in the Asheville area. This foot clinic was inspired largely by the Harriet Tubman Foot Clinic in Atlanta. Members of Hawthorn Community Herb Collective were excited about starting a clinic of our own and when herbalist Kat Shaw, who had worked extensively with the clinic in Atlanta, moved to western NC Asheville Street Feet was born. Our first foot clinic day took place in October of 2016.
Why a Foot Clinic?
For those of us who have the privilege of a safe, comfortable place to kick off our shoes at the end of the day the importance of foot care may not seem glaringly obvious. Many houseless folks are unable to change their socks or even take off their shoes on a regular basis and this combined with the fact that feet can often be their primary mode of transport can lead to some pretty serious discomfort. We seek to address such issues as overgrown toenails, ingrown toenails, calluses, corns, toenail fungus, pain, etc. We also keep a stockpile of new socks, shoes, toenail clippers, anti-fungal and anti-pain salves (made by us!) and over the counter anti-fungal cream on deck so folks can address their own issues as they are able between foot clinic days. We keep a list of resources available and do our best to get people the care they need when it is beyond the scope of our abilities. Foot problems aside it is also crucial to our mission to provide a space for people to enjoy a relaxing herbal soak and a foot rub, pure and simple.
When and Where?
Our clinic is run out of Beloved House at 39 Grove Street in downtown Asheville every other Sunday from 1-4. Our clinic wouldn't exist if it weren't for the generosity and open arms with which Beloved House has welcomed and collaborated with our project. Check them out here: www.belovedasheville.com
Donate/ Get Involved!
If you want to learn how to become a volunteer shoot us a message via the Get Involved header. You can donate to our You Caring account on the homepage or contact us to donate any of the following items. Your donations are greatly appreciated by those and the communities we serve!
-corn cushions
-shoe inserts for sole support
-socks (wool or synthetic/cotton blend)
-new or lightly used sneakers/shoes good for frequent wear and walking, especially large men's sizes
-dried calendula flowers
-heavy duty trash bags
-1/2 oz salve tins
-lavender and tea tree essential oils
