Kids receive free pair of shoes ahead of school year
By Leah Rainwater
Local students will be walking the school halls in a new pair of kicks thanks to the Soles for Christ shoe distribution program, which began Monday morning.
The goal of the program is not only to help families financially by providing students with a free new pair of shoes but also to boost self-esteem and enthusiasm for the school year.
Parents and guardians and their kids were lined up around the Scottish Rite Temple in Downtown St. Joseph for the first day of the giveaway.
“It’s been kind of a mad house,” said Nichi Seckinger, executive director of AFL-CIO Community Services, which hosts the giveaway. “We actually started about 20 minutes early because of the line we had.”
However, Seckinger said with more than 2,000 pairs of shoes and plenty of volunteer help, they were ready to serve the community.
Rebecca Anglin is a mother of four kids. She said the Soles for Christ program is a big help for her family.
“It helps us with the other things we need. So this, you know, one thing off of our list,” Anglin said. “Now we can get the extra supplies that we need and stuff for school and more clothing.”
Anglin said this is not the first year her family has participated in Soles for Christ.
“This will be our second time doing it,” Anglin said. “It just helps, ya know.”
Many kids were also excited to get a brand new pair of kicks to show off to their classmates on the first day.
“They are cute. They fit really well, they are really comfortable and I’m happy I’m getting them,” said Peighton Sisk, an incoming fifth grader.
“It’s these, I don’t know what they’re called, but they’re black, all black shoes. I like them,” said Jaxson Brammer, an incoming third grader.
Brammer said he purposely chose all black shoes to follow in the footsteps of his role models.
“My dad and my grandpa has these shoes and I wanna be like them,” Brammer said.
Savannah Stone, who is also an incoming third grader, said she got a pair of “pop-it” shoes.
“I very like ‘em really well,” Stone said.
Soles for Christ will continue distribution on Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Temple at 515 N. Sixth St.
Parents and/or guardians need to bring proof of residency in Buchanan, Andrew, Clinton and Dekalb counties in Missouri and Doniphan County in Kansas. They will also be required to bring proof of the child’s age.
