Volunteers pause for a photo after setting up for the shoe giveaway at Zion UMC in Beresford. Photos by Sheri Meister, Dakotas and Minnesota Foundations.

"We have five children in our family. I know what it takes to get ready for school. Having a new pair of shoes with new socks is just one thing we can do to get the children ready for school. This is a way I can serve, and we have a church that is willing to serve in our community. I was raised United Methodist. I think that is why this project is a fit for me. The very fact is that we can bring open doors, open hearts, and open minds to families in our community. I strongly believe in that," said Kathy Hill, a member of Zion UMC in Beresford, South Dakota.

Since 2015, Zion United Methodist Church in Beresford, South Dakota, has been helping children in preschool through grade five get ready for school with a new pair of shoes. It all started because of the seed money a Breakthrough Ministry Grant provided.

"We try to reach those families that are the neediest in our community," said Kathy Hill, coordinator for the shoe giveaway. "We have this wonderful congregation that loves children. When we started the project, they just got on board to support the effort by monetarily giving and purchasing backpacks and lunch bags."

Throughout the year, people in the congregation, and the community, bring their purchases to the church. The items are stored until it is time for the giveaway. Then there is the shopping. Kathy and some other members of the congregation, who are good shoppers, go looking for sizes to beef up the inventory based on their needs and inventory.

The week before school starts, children and their parents are invited to select shoes, have their feet washed, get new socks and school supplies, including earphones for iPads handed out at school each year.

"It is really touching to wash the feet of children. They smile and say things like, 'This feels good.' We explain to the parents and children that this is what Jesus did," said Kathy.

For two days, families come to the church and shop. The times this year were 3-7 p.m. each day. Four volunteers, plus the pastor, assist. The pastor greets the families at the door and guides them to the area where two volunteers help families select shoes, socks and pick up a backpack full of supplies. Two volunteers wash the feet of the children.

Families learn about the event through an invitation at the end of the school year and a signup form at the local food cupboard and Faith in Action Office.

"This year, we put a flyer in each of the food backpacks that go home with children for the weekend. We did that at the end of the school year. We create the flyer in Spanish and English because 95% of the families we serve are Spanish speaking," said Kathy. "During our giveaway, a bilingual gentleman was invited to come and speak with the moms and dads because we are all English-speaking. I sensed that the parents were uncomfortable with that, but this fellow just put them at ease immediately. His presence was just a wonderful gift."

Shoes ready for selection at Zion UMC.

During COVID, there was a drive-up option for the shoe giveaway. "We could not comfortably bring families into our church to do the sizing that needed to be done. It was decided that the best way to do this was to have a signup sheet at our local food cupboard and our Faith and Action Office. The form asks for names, children's grades, shoe sizes, and boys or girls. We have continued to do the signup. It helps to know the needs for that particular year," said Kathy.

Everyone in the community is involved. The project recently received a grant for $3,500 from the Parks and Recreation Department of Beresford. Kathy's golf group has become involved. "One of the gals I golf with at the golf club asked me, 'Do you have a school shoe giveaway coming up this summer?' She and I began to talk, and then there were three or four others at our table. They heard this, and soon there was a contribution from my golf ladies."

Throughout the school year, shoes are distributed when a need arises. Kathy said, "I get calls from the school during the school year. They tell me there is a need. If I have the right size in stock, we'll have the shoes to the school by the end of the day. And if we don't, we go shopping and have the shoes there the next day."

Getting new shoes and all the other school gear to start the year can be daunting for a family with four children.The cost of quality shoes for children is constantly increasing. In the last decade, the average price for one pair of quality children's sneakers has gone from $15 to $35 a pair. 

"We see children coming in for these new shoes that are wearing shoes that don't fit properly. It is heartbreaking. We have been doing this for nine years, and the number of families we serve keeps rising," said Kathy. "The smiles on these children's faces when they get their new shoes and socks feel so good. We do this to glorify God."