AFL-CIO Community Services is seeking donations for its yearly shoe distribution in August.

According to AFL-CIO Executive Director Penny Adams, Soles for Christ is a program that provides new tennis shoes to children starting the school year.

“The goal of the program is to boost the kid’s self-esteem and excitement for the new school year,” Adams said. “It has a side effect that was never intended when it was started but the side effect is it helps the families financially, not having to purchase new shoes for their kids.”

Adams said the program began in 2003 and served 210 children and last year, 1,106 kids received shoes.

Adams said people can drop off shoe donations at their agency at 1203 North 6th Street in St. Joseph. They’re open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Adams said shoe donations should be dropped off by August 9th and they also will accept monetary donations.

Families that need shoes can come in during one of the distribution days and bring a form of ID for each child that’s receiving shoes.

“That could be a school ID or a report card, a birth certificate, medical records, anything that shows the child’s age,” Adams said. “The parents need to bring proof of residency because this program only serves kids in Andrew, Buchanan and Doniphan County, so they could bring a utility bill or a mortgage receipt, something like that.”

Distribution days will be Monday, August 14th, and Tuesday, August 15th.

For more information, contact AFL-CIO Community Services at (816) 364-1131.