TOMS Takes Over Viernes Culturales With Documentary, Food Trucks, and Discounts

Noriko Jimbo

Gabriella Pons has six pairs of TOMS in her closet. That's a whole lot of money to spend on the same kind of shoe, but what if for each pair you buy, another gets donated to someone in need? TOMS has finally legitimized women's (and men's, we know you like it too) shoe shopping addiction.

Next Friday, TOMS is making its way to Miami to raise awareness for the movement in conjunction with Viernes Culturales. The event will host two screenings of a 35-minute documentary, as well as four additional short videos of TOMS current day work in Cambodia, Rwanda, Honduras, and Nepal.



In 2006, Blake Mycoskie took his first trip to Argentina, where through his work with children, he became aware of global poverty Americans don't often see. Thus, TOMS was born, the for-profit company operates the non-profit subsidiary and matches every pair of shoes purchased by donating a pair to a child in need. To date, TOMS has donated over 1 million pairs in their signature style, the Alpargata, the traditional shoe of Argentina.

Pons, a current TOMS enthusiast and member of the organization's intern program, decided to turn a small aspect of her internship into a community shindig in order to show people that these shoes aren't just a hippie staple or a hipster fashion statement.

"The showing for the documentary is just for getting a group of people together, but I decided to make it more of an event," Pons said.  

Originally part of the TOMS chapter at Emerson and now FIU, Pons is leading the movement toward the streets of Calle Ocho in hopes of bringing together multiple cultures and causes. Every last Friday of the month Viernes Culturales throws a big party on the historic street to inform the public of Cuban Miami culture and heritage with food, galleries, and parties.

For the event, the Arepa Box and Che Grill food trucks will be stopping by to introduce event-goers to a taste of Argentina. Natural juices will also be provided.

Guests can also stop by the information table to pick up some promo codes for $5 off their next TOMS purchase.  

TOMS also recently launched their eyewear line, where every purchase pays for someone's prescription glasses or a visit to an optometrist.

So get your feet over to the screening and give someone somewhere a chance to own a much needed pair of TOMS. Shoe donations are also encouraged.

The documentary takes place at the Futurama Art Gallery, 1687 SW 8th St,
Miami, FL 33135, Friday June 29, from 7 to 10 p.m.


--Briana Saati


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