Shoes distributed to needy families today

Caring For Others, an 11-year-old homelessness prevention organization, planned to distribute some 40,000 new pairs of BOBS from SKECHERS to needy families Saturday in Atlanta.

The No Bare Soles Shoe Distribution, co-sponsored by Fashion Delivers and retailer Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse, coincides with the grand opening of Caring for Others’ new Community Center at 3537 Browns Mill Road. The center provides resources to improve the lives of children and adults in underserved south Atlanta neighborhoods.

The event is scheduled to kick off at 12 p.m. with a ribbon cutting by former U.S. Ambassador and Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, followed by an open house. Former boxing champion Evander Holyfield also was also expected to make a special appearance and help with distributing shoes. The distribution ends at 3 p.m.

”Our clients are usually struggling just to keep a roof over their heads and provide for their families, said Caring For Others President and CEO Eslene Richmond-Shockley in a release. ”When someone has to choose between paying the electric bill and buying new shoes for their children, the bills usually have to come first.

The shoes are being provided by the BOBS from SKECHERS charitable program, which gives a new pair to a child in need for every BOBS footwear purchase. Since the program launched, SKECHERS has donated more than one million pairs of new shoes across the United States and around the world. The shoes range from a children’s size 10 to adult size 8, and each family attending the Caring For Others shoe distribution can receive up to six pairs of shoes - one pair per child.

Caring For Others was also expected to distribute several thousand pairs of BOBS from SKECHERS shoes throughout Georgia with assistance from 50 additional non-profit agency partners.