The annual Soles for Christ shoe distribution began Monday morning with people lining up outside the AFL-CIO Community Services building at 11 p.m. Sunday. 

The program has been helping students start off their school year with new shoes since 2003. 

Last year, Soles for Christ provided shoes for 1,179 children and about 1,200 are expected this year. By 10:30 a.m. Monday morning, over 100 shoes had been distributed and the line of people was still out the door and around the building.

One mother was waiting with her children for about two and a half hours before they were able to try on and receive shoes. She said the wait is worth it because receiving shoes helps take the burden off their family. 

“Otherwise when you can’t pay your bills, you have to take money from your bill money to pay for new shoes,” she said. “And they have pretty decent shoes (here), I mean, they have name-brand shoes and sometimes you can’t afford those in the store.” 

Shoe distribution takes place until 4 p.m. on Monday and from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday at the AFL-CIO Community Services building at 1203 North 6th Street. For more information, call (816) 364-1131.