The Soles for Christ Shoe Program, sponsored by AFL-CIO Community Services, will begin handing out shoes to needy school kids Monday morning. Meanwhile, the agency continues to accept donations of new shoes or money to support the annual program.
The shoe distribution is Monday, August 11 from 8 am to 4 pm and Tuesday, August 12, 8 am to 6 pm. at 1203 North 6th Street. There is no pre-registration needed. It is first come, first served.
No appointment is necessary. Parents or guardians must bring children with them to the distribution. The parents will be required to provide two different pieces of information. They will be required to provide one form of identification for each child to show proof of age. That could be a school ID, report card, birth certificate or any document that proves the child’s birth date. Parents will also need to provide proof of residency; a utility bill, rent or mortgage receipt or a school document showing their address. Parents also need to furnish clean socks for trying on the shoes.
The program serves children entering kindergarten through 12th grade in Andrew and Buchanan County in Missouri and Doniphan County in Kansas. This includes both public and parochial school students.
The goal of the program is to provide a new pair of shoes for each child to start school in and in turn boost the child’s self-esteem and enthusiasm for the coming school year.
he agency will continue to accept donations of new shoes or money for the annual program all next week. The agency shops for any missing sizes of shoes needed. Any children not receiving shoes either Monday or Tuesday will be invited back later in the week to receive their shoes. When purchasing your donations please keep in mind that athletic (tennis) shoes are best, as some schools do not allow flip-flop or slip-on styles. Children’s size 9 or larger is recommended (no infant sizes please).
You are welcome to dropped off your donations at our agency, 1203 North 6th Street. Hours for drop off are 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. We are estimating a need of at least 1,500 shoes.
Since its inception in 2003, the program has distributed over 6,600 pairs of shoes. Last year, 1,231 pairs of shoes with a value of $30,775 were distributed.