Liberty Tabernacle UPCI in New Whiteland is hosting a free shoe giveaway, along with an Easter egg hunt, on Saturday. The giveaway is open to children ages 2 to 11, and each child is eligible for one pair of shoes on a first-come, first-serve basis.
This Easter season, a New Whiteland church wants to ensure children in need of reliable footwear have the shoes they need.
Liberty Tabernacle has 2,300 pairs of shoes for children ages 2 to 11, and will give away one pair to each child who attends. This event is free, and will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the church, located at 6177 N. CR 75W, New Whiteland.
No registration is required, though it is first-come, first-serve while supplies last. Organizers ask that each participating child be present to select their pair of shoes, as well as being accompanied by a parent.
The hope is that the church can help the community and provide for families who may struggle to get children shoes of their own.
“Blessing people when they fall on difficult times — just being that hope, being that light, being that help that’s out there, to show them that they’re not alone,” said Megan Rhodes, community outreach director at Liberty Tabernacle. “There are resources out there, there are people who will help you, who will pray for you and hold your hand along the way.”
Liberty Tabernacle, an Apostolic church founded in 2000, created the shoe giveaway as a way to serve the Johnson County community. The church was able to purchase the 2,300 pairs as a discount.
Church leaders felt the best way to use the shoes was with a giveaway.
“Shoes are expensive, especially if you have multiple children. Kids are constantly growing, so it can be something that can be taxing to keep up with,” Rhodes said. “It’s a need that every parent is going to face.”
The footwear is in all colors, styles and sizes, from toddler size 2 to kids size 12, and youth size 13 through 6.
The shoe giveaway piggy-backs with an Easter egg hunt planned at 11 a.m. Saturday. Together, the two events will give families a positive event during Easter weekend, as well as receiving help if they need.
“We’re always looking for ways to bless our community, impact the community. We want people to know that Liberty is here. When they fall on difficult times, we want to be able to help,” Rhodes said. “It’s basically community service. We have these shoes, and how can we bless the community.”
If you go
Liberty Tabernacle community shoe giveaway
What: A free shoe giveaway offering one pair of shoes to children ages 2 to 11
When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Liberty Tabernacle UPCI, 6177 N. CR 75 W, New Whiteland
Requirements: The giveaway is free, and no registration is required. Organizers ask that each participating child be present to select their pair of shoes and to be accompanied by a parent. The event will be operating on a first come first serve and while supplies last basis.
