1,000 children to receive new pair of shoes for school | Community Spirit

KANNAPOLIS/GASTONIA - In a nationwide effort to provide hope for children, Samaritan’s Feet and the Office Depot Foundation are teaming up to help 40,000 American kids prepare to go back to school through their joint Back to Basics Initiative. 

On Saturday August 27 in Kannapolis and Gastonia, more than 1,000 kids will receive a new pair of shoes and socks from Samaritan’s Feet along with back packs and school supplies from the Office Depot Foundation. 

The two events will take place at the following locations:

Kannapolis, NC Event

• Samaritan’s Feet Partner Organizations: Bethpage Presbyterian Church
• Date of Event: Saturday, August 27th from 10am-2:00pm
• Where: Fred Wilson Elementary School, 1401 Pine Street, Kannapolis, NC  28081
• How many kids:  500

Gastonia, NC Event

• Samaritan’s Feet Partner Organizations: Third Presbyterian Church
• Date of Event: Saturday, August 27th from 10am-2:00pm
• Where:  Third Presbyterian Church 605 N. Highland Avenue, Gastonia, NC  28052 
• How many kids: 500

Many families face the new school year with anxiety stemming from the burden of stretching the family budget to purchase required school supplies.  Worse yet, in many parts of the world, children can’t go to school at all because they don’t have shoes to wear.  Millions of children right here in the US wake up with holes in their shoes or have to squeeze their feet into shoes that are two or three sizes too small.  Many suffer the embarrassment of taking their books and supplies to school in plastic grocery bags. 

To address these concerns, Samaritan’s Feet, and the Office Depot Foundation are uniting to prepare students materially, physically and psychologically for school through the Back to Basics Initiative!  Samaritan’s Feet and the Office Depot Foundation will provide more than 40,000 children in grades K-5 within the US with new shoes and socks as well as a colorful sackpack to carry their school supplies.  Furthermore, Samaritan’s Feet’s Back to Basics Program empowers over 10,000 volunteers from diverse backgrounds to serve others in their own community. Its objective is to celebrate the start of school by making the families feel loved, valued and encouraged.

Volunteers from the two Presbyterian Churches and Samaritan’s Feet will be at these events to wash the feet of the children and share a special message of hope. 

"Serving those in need throughout Gastonia and Kannapolis communities is a great opportunity to bring hope and encouragement to those who are struggling financially,” said Manny Ohonme, Founder of Samaritan’s Feet.  “We are profoundly grateful for the dedicated volunteers who donate their time and energy to give back to those in need.”

Adds Office Depot Foundation President Mary Wong, “As part of our 2011 National Backpack Program, we are exceptionally pleased to partner with Samaritan’s Feet to assist children throughout the United States.  Our mission is to help kids succeed not only in school, but also in life.  We welcome this opportunity to make a difference in local communities across the country.”

These local Back to Basics Initiative event are two of 40 distributions around the country. Approximately 40,000 children will receive new shoes, socks and sackpacks with supplies before heading back to school in the fall.  The Back to Basics Initiative allows Samaritan’s Feet and the Office Depot Foundation the opportunity to create a joyful environment as local Ambassadors meet with each child personally to share hope and encouragement while presenting their new shoes, socks and sackpacks.