GREENWOOD, Ind. -- Going back to school can be expensive. New clothes, shoes and backpacks, it can add up fast, especially if you’re from a family with more than one child. But one Johnson County group is working to help ease the financial burden for some families while helping those in need.
Members of Bluff Creek Christian Church in Greenwood are reaching out to families in a unique way. Back in February, they opened a ‘shoe pantry.’ It’s called ‘Shoes for Souls’ and it’s open to anyone who needs a new pair of shoes.
Since opening, members say they’ve given away 189 pairs of shoes, most of them during the last two months.
“I think some of us tend to live in our bubbles and we don’t realize what’s going on around us – or right next door to us even,” said Rebecca Finlay with ‘Shoes for Souls.’ “And just seeing what we’ve seen, 189 people being served by this ministry, shows us there’s a definite need.”
While the church is located in Greenwood, members say they’ve helped families from many surrounding counties as well.
The shoe pantry is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. – noon. All you need is an ID for adults and a shoe size for the kids.
The pantry is open to families or even teachers who see a need in their classrooms.
Each person who gets a pair of shoes also gets a new pair of socks. ‘Shoes for Souls’ accepts new and like-new shoes and is always looking for donations.
