INDIANAPOLIS -- Hundreds of children were fitted for a brand new pair of shoes Friday as part of an Assistance League of Indianapolis' program.

Workers from Shoe Carnival put new shoes on children and gave out two pairs of socks, each thanks to the generosity of the community, 6News' Kara Kenney reported.

About 370 students at Indianapolis Public School No. 46 were recipients. Many of the students' families have fallen on hard times.

"It's probably a godsend for many of them," said Scott Coffey, the school's interim principal. "We just see by the overwhelming response of the parents' permission slips to allow them to get the shoes here -- almost at 100 percent -- so everybody really appreciates it."

Fifth-grader Kelsey Martin said she felt "a little overwhelmed. I know it's a lot of money."

The program cost about $6,000, which came out of the pockets of Bob Moeder, president of Kroger's central division and Dr. and Mrs. Robert Fallon.

The annual program has touched more children each year, up from 269 in 2007.

"It just makes them feel better about themselves, happier to go to school, able to go to school in this cold weather," said Paula Roeder, president of the Assistance League of Indianapolis. "It's great we can help the children."

The gift for children was also a lesson in giving.

"You have to give to other people if you want to give to yourself," Martin said. "If you want happiness, you have to give happiness."