NORTH FORK – Hillside Baptist Church is holding its 5th Annual Shoe Giveaway on Oct. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon. North Fork students receive a brand new pair of shoes, winter clothes, dental kits, haircuts and a hot meal.
Almost 1,000 pairs of shoes have already been given to boys and girls in our community over the last four years, some to kids who would not otherwise be able to have a decent pair of shoes for the winter, says Sarah Crotinger.
Members and friends of Hillside Baptist Church give generously every year towards the purchase of kids’ shoes.
“We have the shoes on hand and Pastor Steve fits each child individually on the day of the shoe giveaway,” says the pastor’s wife Sarah. “We have all sizes. God knows exactly who is coming to us and I trust that He will guide me to the exact shoes that are needed. He has not failed yet!”
Children who are students from North Fork, O’Neals and Wishon are invited to share in the bounty, and come by Hillside Baptist Church to be presented with a new pair of shoes and a lot of love.
Sarah shares the story of how the shoe giveaway came to be.
“When we arrived in North Fork five years ago, we had no idea what the needs of our community were and we asked God to show us,” she says. “One cold, snowy morning, on our way to visit someone, we noticed children waiting on the mountain road for a school bus. They had on shoes that were held together with gray duct tape. Right then we knew we had to meet this need in our community.”
This year, for the first time, Sam’s Club, Von’s, Raleys, True Value and CVS are participating in this event by donating food, bottled water and other supplies. Folks wanting to give an offering towards shoes can contact Pastor Steve or Sarah at (559) 877-7771
“Steve and I just celebrated five years of service in North Fork at Hillside Baptist Church,” says Sarah. “We love our community and with the Lord’s help, hope to serve many more years to come!”
