JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – According to Champions for Kids, shoes and socks are reported to be in the top five items needed by students in school around the world.

Samaritan’s Feet is a non-profit organization that has distributed over 6.5 million pairs of shoes in 91 countries and 366 U.S. cities for more than 30 years. According to the group, they want to inspire hope through the gift of shoes, the act of washing feet, and encouragement to those who need it most.

“People without shoes face dangers like laceration, fungus, and insect bites that can lead to infection, disease, and even death,” their website states. “Children with no shoes are often not allowed entrance to education in many countries and can find their way into slavery, or unsafe and inexcusable child labor environments.”

Samaritan’s Feet will be hosting a local shoe distribution on Saturday, February 10th at the University of Jamestown’s Newman Arena from 10 AM to 12 PM. The event is sponsored by Unison Bank and a pair of new shoes and socks will be provided to all students in grades K-5th that have pre-registered. The pre-registration period has since been closed.

For more information, contact Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent Rob Lech at Robert.Lech@k12.nd.us or Denise Blomberg at dblomberg@samaritansfeet.org.