SAN ANGELO, TX — Immanuel Baptist Church is distributing thousands of donated shoes to local families impacted by last month’s flooding, part of a rapid effort that came together in less than 24 hours.
Pastor Ryan Buck said the church partnered with Texans on Mission and Buckner International, who provided most of the shoes, to support students at flood-affected elementary schools. The effort began with Reagan Elementary, which recently merged with San Jacinto Elementary
"This event was scheduled in the spring just to encourage the two campuses to come together," he said, but added that it quickly expanded to Bradford and Goliad elementary schools.
Texans on Mission partnered with Buckner International and hosted a shoe drive to collect and distribute shoes to those in San Angelo affected by the floods, including children at our local elementary schools.
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Tessa Koskovitch)
“We’re hoping to distribute about 1,500 pairs of shoes tonight alone,” Buck said Tuesday afternoon, adding that many of the recipients are families still staying at the church after the July 4 flooding.
According to Buck, the church initially expected to give away a few hundred pairs, but 3,000 shoes arrived from Buckner International. After learning the surplus would be shipped elsewhere, Buck reached out to other schools. Calvary Baptist Church coordinated with Bradford Elementary to receive 1,000 pairs, and Buckner employees helped deliver another 1,000 to Goliad Elementary.
Texans on Mission in partnership with Buckner International hosts a shoe drive at Immanuel Baptist Church
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Tessa Koskovitch)
The event also includes clothing from Rush Street Ministries and food for anyone in need, regardless of affiliation.
“This is just what Texas folk and the Baptist community in Texas do to help out folks,” Buck said. “Anybody that shows up is going to be getting a pair of shoes, clothes, and food.”
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