First Christian Church hosts annual shoe drive with Soles4Souls

Used shoes get a new lease of life and impact lives around the world with First Christian Church’s 13th Annual Soles4Souls Shoe Drive.

“(First Christian Church is) a great ministry and I am happy that we do this every year,” said Kelly Farris, Business Director for First Christian Church. “Our church is definitely outreach driven, and that’s just one of the things we do.”

The annual drive, which began on July 4, brings together new and used shoes that will be donated through a partnership with Soles4Souls, an international organization that provides used and new shoes to people around the world.

The campaign will officially end on Sunday, August 1, but Farris said the community will donate often throughout the year. These donations are kept until next summer. All shoe donations are sent to a receiving center in Coppell, Texas, where they will be distributed worldwide.

Farris said the ministry will often receive between 300 and 400 pairs of shoes to donate. The community will really get involved in this shoe drive, she said.

“These are going to people who may not have shoes,” she said. “For them it’s a luxury, because they don’t have anything. I think it’s a big help.”

Community members can drop off their still-usable shoes at the church office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.