‘Nobody is turned down’: Church group raising funds to provide ‘Shoes 4 Kids’

A shoe giveaway program endorsed by a local church is on the hunt for donations to provide adequate footwear for children and teens in Boyd and Greenup Counties.

Individuals of Oak Street Chapel Baptist Church in Flatwoods are asking business partners, other area churches and community members to support their program “Shoes 4 Kids” for the 2024-25 school year. The program provided more than 700 pairs of shoes to 17 schools in the 2023-24 fiscal year, Frances Hicks, program coordinator and church member, said.

“I love a new pair of shoes, you love a new pair of shoes,” Hicks said. “It puts a smile on the kids’ face. When you have to almost peel a sock off their foot or their toes are curled up in the end, the smile on their faces is just worth it all,” she said.

“We all love doing it. It’s what God wants us to do — to help others. The church is 100% behind us,” Hicks added.

Michelle Podunavac, the family resource officer of McKell Middle and Elementary in Greenup County, has observed the need for the program first hand.

“We have a lot of kids that come to school in their mom or dads shoes that are way too big. Some with the soles of them off,” she said.

“It’s rewarding. If you were there, it would probably make you cry,” she added. “This one boy was so happy showing me his new shoes. It makes them feel good about themselves. They take their old ones off and put the new ones on and just the whole day, they are happy.”

Money to buy the shoes come from various fundraising activities of businesses, churches and individuals in northeastern Kentucky. At the beginning of the school year, school resource officers work with organizers of the program to see what is needed.

From there, affiliates with the program begin measuring feet at the beginning of the school year. All shoes are gifted to children in the fall, Hicks said.

“We feel like God is in our program. We have just been blown away from previous donations. We need resources, we need donations. We never stop needing money,” she added.

The program initially began three school years ago with a company in California and after finding a way to better deals, Hicks said, lead organizers of the program decided to part ways this upcoming school year in the fall with the former program called “Shoes That Fit.”

“When we first got involved, we were working with somebody else. This is the first year in taking a leap of faith on our own. We changed the name, we changed everything. This past year we have raised all of the money ourselves,” she said.

Hicks recalled “heartbreaking stories” from over the years being involved in the program.

“The kids are just so excited,” Hicks said. “They say, ‘These are mine? I get to keep these?’ One little boy said, ‘now I can take these off my Christmas list. One little girl apologized because she said, ‘I’m wearing my mommy’s shoes ‘cause I don’t have any.’

“We wipe their feet with wipes, put deodorizing spray on them, clean new socks on them and new shoes,” she added.

On behalf of the help from the program, Traysea Moresea, Greenup County Superintendent, said students in the district are more attentive when basic needs are met.

“They have to have fitting clothes and shoes in order to learn,” Moresea said. “If they are uncomfortable or don’t feel confident, that affects their learning. This is a good way to support the parents that are trying to do the right thing for their kids.

“This helps us provide one of those basic needs that we do not have to provide from our school funds by these folks helping these kids out. … It’s really a blessing,” Moresea added.

A “Shoes 4 Kids” golf scramble will commence on July 20 with registration beginning at 8 a.m. at the River Bend Golf Club in Argillite in hopes of raising funds for the program’s budget.

Texas Roadhouse in Ashland will be donating 10% of total food purchases to go toward “Shoes 4 Kids” on Tuesday, June 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. The offer is only valid with showing of flyers from the Roadhouse.

A rummage sale of donated items will be set up on Saturday, June 1, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. where all proceeds collected will go to the fund for the shoe giveaway, Hicks said.

Superintendent Larry Coldiron, of Raceland-Worthington Independent Schools, said the district has been part of the program for a couple of years providing dozens of shoes to students in the district.

“It’s a great thing for our kids and our community,” Coldiron said. “Every student when they start the school year out wants to feel good about themselves. This is just another one of those things that helps kids feel comfortable.

“It leads to better things at school academically,” Coldiron said.

For more information regarding the shoe giveaway, sponsors or donations people are directed to contact Sherry Archey at (606) 922-3922 or Hicks at (606) 831-9185.