Soles for Christ shoe program accepting donations, volunteers

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The Soles for Christ has announced it is accepting donations and volunteers for its annual distribution.

Soles for Christ is asking for new shoe donations for school-aged children to be dropped off at 1203 N 6th St.

The deadline for drop-offs is Thursday, Aug. 7.

Volunteers are also needed for four days in August to help with the program's set up, takedown, and distribution days- set for Monday, Aug. 11, and Tuesday, Aug. 12, at the Scottish Rite Temple, located at 515 N. 6th St.

Those days include:

• 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, for set up
• 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, for Distribution Day one (which includes building and line monitoring; sock distribution; registering families via laptop/paper; sizing and fitting children for shoes; shoe room attendants; runners)
• 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12, for Distribution Day two (which includes building and line monitoring; sock distribution; registering families via laptop/paper; sizing and fitting children for shoes; shoe room attendants; runners)
• 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, for tear down

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old for distribution days, and are welcome to sign up for as many days or shifts as they would like.

T-shirts are also available for purchase for $20-$24 and may be picked up from the AFL-CIO at 1203 N 6th St. starting Tuesday, Aug. 5. The last day to order is Monday, July 21.

The local non-profit organization, backed by the AFL-CIO, provides a new pair of shoes for school-aged children ahead of the school year.

The goal of the program is to boost self-esteem and enthusiasm in kids entering preschool (ages 4 and up) through 12th grade.

The program serves children attending public, parochial and homeschooled children in Andrew, Buchanan, Clinton and DeKalb counties in Missouri, and Doniphan County in Kansas.