Free back-to-school shoe-distribution event planned for Aug. 16
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The New Shoes for Back-to-School ministry will hold its in-person distribution event on Saturday, Aug. 16 at Third Street Bethel A.M.E., 614 North 3rd Street in Richmond, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Families interested in receiving a new pair of shoes for children in grades K-12 are invited to attend. Each child is eligible for one pair of shoes. Children must be accompanied by an adult and families must stay together. Masks will be required.
Any shoes left over after the event will be donated to local Title 1 schools.
Now in its 19th year, the initiative has provided more than 119,000 pairs of new shoes to Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield area schoolchildren in need. A coalition made up of churches and synagogues work together to make New Shoes for Back to School possible. This year’s participants include Broad Rock Baptist, First Baptist Midlothian, Lyndale Baptist, Sharon Baptist, Sixth Baptist, Spring Creek Baptist, Temple Beth-El, Third Street Bethel AME, and Trinity United Methodist.
Partners for this event include Premier Bank, Congregation Beth Ahabah, Walmart, Saxon Shoes, Panera Bread, WBTK 1380, Wegmans, National Conference of Black Women, Auxiliary of The Military Retirees Club, The AKA Sorority, and The DST Sorority.
The event also will include a voter registration drive and musical entertainment by Third Street Bethel AME.
To support the event by making a donation of shoes or money, email Rita Willis at Third Street Bethel AME at rita.willis1@icloud.com.
