For a parent, there’s no worse feeling than not being able to provide for your little ones.
Samartian’s Feet has partnered with U-Mary athletics to make sure every child has a pair of shoes and for some children, a new pair of kicks doesn’t come very often.
Liora Berrios; 10 year old: “Like once a year.”
Malique Rankin; KX reporter: “So is this a pretty big deal?”
Liora Berrious: “Yeah.”
For the families that came through Will-Moore Elementary’s doors, their children lefts with clean feet, a fresh pair a socks, new shoes, and a backpack.
Joe Kittell is the men’s basketball coach at UMary.
He did something a bit unusual on Friday to raise awareness for those who don’t have shoes.
Joe Kittell: “[To] get people to ask why, why the crazy coach isn’t wearing any shoes, and then you’re able to talk about the organization and talk about all the good things they do.”
Coach Kittell has a little boy of his own.. and understands that parenting is difficult enough.
Joe Kittell: “Your heart breaks for those that have to make those tough decisions.”
Denise Blomberg is the regional director for Samaritan’s feet.
Denise Blomberg: “What a great way to represent the school and come together as one to serve in your community. So we couldn’t be more thrilled to work with UMary and in Bismarck.”
Since 2013, Samaritan’s feet has given over 4,000 shoes to children in need throughout North Dakota. And to get kids in need more shoes like these, they partnered with UMary in 2016.
Thanks to this shoe giveaway, some Bismarck parents have one less worry.
Liora Berrios: “It means a lot. So, my mom got me some shoes and they cost about 100 bucks. But now these ones were free.”
Malique Rankin: “Saved mom 100 bucks.”
Liora Berrios: “Yeah!”
UMary and Samaritan’s Feet had a ton of shoes. Whatever was left over from today’s event gets donated locally.
