StorageMart, an operator of self-storage facilities across the United States and Canada, is collecting donations at seven Columbia, Mo., locations in an effort to break the world record for longest shoe chain. The record-breaking attempt is being orchestrated by the Shoeman Water Project, a not-for-profit organization that donates shoes and clean water to the poor in developing and underdeveloped countries.

StorageMart facilities will store the shoes until May 7, the day of the attempt. After all of the donations have been collected, the University of Missouri's Stankowski Field, part of the university's athletic and student recreation complex, will be the site of the shoe chain. The goal is to set 30,000 pairs of shoes end to end, which shatters the previous record of 20,100, recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records.

According to a news release from the Shoeman Water Project, acceptable donations include any wearable pairs of shoes in all sizes. Shoes should have no holes or rips, and matching pairs should be bundled or tied together.

StorageMart owns and operates more than 135 self-storage properties. In addition to self storage units, the company sells supplies such as boxes, tape, Bubble Wrap, mattress covers and much more.