JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – News4JAX teamed up with the local non-profit group, Kicks for the Kids, to gift students new shoes as they head back to school.
The long-awaited giveaway event began Thursday at The Bethel Church and will go through Saturday, Aug 6. More than 1,400 kids are expected to receive new shoes.
Co-founder Tan Mayhew said this is the 12th year the event has taken place -- stating that this year is even more important than the rest.
“We know, everything has gone up from groceries to gas -- but one thing that has not unfortunately are our paychecks,” Mayhew said. “Causing more families to struggle. So now the average family that probably didn’t have a struggle with providing for their children -- they are struggling this year. So it’s needed more than ever.”
A local family said they attend the event every year.
“It’s a lot of help because we didn’t have it (money) this year to get the shoes,” Brandi Hansen, a local mother, said.
News4JAX has been informed that all appointments are full and donations are still needed. Kicks for the Kids received so many applications for shoes that News4JAX extended the deadline again.
Community members can now donate a pair of new shoes for a child through Saturday morning, August 6. Those shoes can now just be dropped off here at Channel 4. The address: 4 Broadcast Place, 32207.
Families must have an appointment for each child to receive free shoes. A mask is required to enter the building and every child must have an appointment to enter the site. No exceptions.
DISCLAIMER: The number of shoes and sizes available depends on how many donated shoes we received from the public. Unfortunately, even if you have an appointment, we cannot guarantee that shoes will be available for all children that attend this event.