179.
That’s the number of pairs of shoes that were given to 63 families by the House of Mercy in Manassas last month.
According to a release, the shoes are part of the organization’s “No Shoes/New Shoes” event, which they’ve been doing for six years.
House of Mercy is an area non-profit that offers assistance to individuals in need. In their program, “clients must take at least one free class, such as Money Management, ESL, GED Math, or Cooking and Nutrition, in order to qualify for the shoes. Providing shoes is a meaningful way to reward parents who take the class,” stated a release.
By providing the families with shoes, they’ve lifted a burden many families have when it comes to buying supplies for their children for the coming school year.
“Children love to look their best with their own personal style. When children feel good about themselves, their self-esteem is increased and confidence rises. New, fashionable shoes give children a sense of belonging, fostering a sense of inclusion. In addition to comfort, it has been [proven] that having a nice pair of shoes reduces bullying, and improves school attendance,” stated a release.
According to a release, 48 children also received backpacks filled with supplies.
