Our 2009 Soles for Souls Shoe Drive for Neighborhood Ministries was a huge success! Scottsdale Bible partnered with Neighborhood Ministries in downtown Phoenix to provide almost 600 impoverished children with new school shoes. The children were attending the Neighborhood Ministries summer day kids camp. The congregation at large sponsored the children with individual families “adopting” a child for whom they purchased a new pair of shoes.
The Scottsdale Bible adult enrichment class Christian Essentials led the effort to coordinate the ministry this year. Famous Footwear offered discounts on shoes for our congregation. Over 60 volunteers from throughout the congregation joined forces for many work days. Our volunteers spent three days measuring kids for shoe sizes and taking photos, one day preparing shoe packets, three successive Sundays distributing shoe packs and receiving shoes, two days sorting shoes, and one day loading vans to transport all of the shoes to Neighborhood Ministries. Delivery Day at Neighborhood Ministries was Saturday, August 1 and what an incredible day it was! It was such a blessing to see so many happy children trying on their brand new shoes.
This was wonderful outreach that enabled the congregation to be involved at the family level to provide shoes for very needy children among the urban poor. Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2009 Soles for Souls shoe drive for making the school year better for these precious children. We pray that the children who received shoes and their families will take time to consider the Giver of all good things. Every shoe box included a special encouragement letter signed by the sponsoring families encouraging the child to seek Jesus. We would especially like to thank all of the wonderful volunteers who helped with this outreach.
