Deserving kids get new shoes, supplies

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) - An event was held Saturday to provide new shoes and encouragement for deserving children in Carmel.

The humanitarian, non-profit organization Samaritan’s Feet held their Back to Basics back to school shoe distribution event in conjunction with Office Depot Foundation National Backpack Program and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

Approximately 1,300 children from Carmel were expected to be given new athletic shoes and socks, according to Samaritan’s Feet International. They were also given the opportunity to have their feet washed by volunteers from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

The event was held to help ease some of the stress that families face each year when their budgets are stretched to purchase required school supplies.

Samaritan’s Feet International says many children are faced with the embarrassment each year of wearing shoes with holes in them to school and taking their books to school in plastic grocery bags.

The Office Depot Foundation donated backpacks with basic school supplies for each child.

This event in particular was one of 81 domestic distributions planned for 2012.

According to Samaritan’s Feet International, approximately 39,000 children will receive new shoes before heading back to school in the fall.