Shoes distributed, feet washed in back-to-school event

July 29, 2015 at 5:00 a.m.

by Susan Holland

Photo by Susan Holland Pat Bodenhamer, left, pastor of the Gravette United Methodist Church, poses with Lori Pinkerton, Al Blair and Jo Phillips, as they show some of the shoes given away at the Samaritan’s Feet event Saturday evening at the church. Al points out the poster showing children throughout the world who have been helped by the annual shoe distribution.
Photo by Susan Holland Pat Bodenhamer, left, pastor of the Gravette United Methodist Church, poses with Lori Pinkerton, Al Blair and Jo Phillips, as they show some of the shoes given away at the Samaritan’s Feet event Saturday evening at the church. Al points out the poster showing children throughout the world who have been helped by the annual shoe distribution.

GRAVETTE -- About 80 youngsters showed up at the Gravette United Methodist Church Saturday evening to get a new pair of shoes and socks for their back-to-school wardrobe. The shoe distribution event, hosted by Samaritan's Feet International and the NWA Methodist Churches Alliance, was designed to equip and encourage students before the new school year begins.

The shoe recipients were youngsters enrolled in the Gravette Boys and Girls Club and Imagine Before and After School Care. In an unusual twist, they were not just given the shoes and socks; they had their feet washed by community volunteers.

The United Methodist Church at Gravette was one of nine churches in the area which hosted such events, according to Graham Gibbs of Springdale, director of development for Samaritan's Feet. United Methodist Churches at Gravette, Sulphur Springs and the Highlands in Bella Vista participated and raised money to pay for the shoes and socks. About 40 volunteers from these churches were on hand to wash the youngsters' feet.

This event was part of the nationwide Samaritan's Feet 2015 Back to School program, with a goal of distributing more than 31,000 pairs of shoes and socks. A news release from the organization says that a recent report shows that shoes and socks are in the "top 10 items needed" by students in school.

"This event is an opportunity for the community to celebrate the importance of education with children and families that may be struggling with the financial burdens of going back to school. By serving recipients one-on-one and spending time encouraging them individually, each recipient will leave feeling confident and equipped for the new school year. Thank you to those willing to give back and inspire hope in kids -- they are the difference makers in their community," said Manny Ohonme, CEO and co-founder of Samaritan's Feet International.

Each year, Samaritan's Feet partners with business leaders, churches and civic organizations across the country to implement the Back to School program, with events conducted from July through October. The program provides a framework for community collaboration to prepare students materially, physically and spiritually for the upcoming school year. In 2014, Samaritan's Feet held 80 Back to School events across the country and distributed more than 30,000 pairs of new shoes. Since its founding in 2003, the organization and its partners have aided more than 6.5 million children in more than 75 nations.

Community on 07/29/2015