Children walk the streets without shoes. Children try on shoes with holes in them and realize that it beats nothing. Children try on shoes that are a size or two too large and decide they are a perfect fit.
If you think this only happens in Third World countries, think again. This is one of the hard facts of life for children living in Benton and the surrounding area.
Vicki Seagle, coordinator of the Benton-West City Ministerial Alliance food pantry, sees this type of activity on a daily basis. Although she is vision impaired, she is very much aware of the great need of families — particularly children — who have no shoes.
"I kept complaining to a friend, Tiffany Lucas, about children coming to the food pantry for lunch and not having shoes to wear," Seagle said.
Lucas, who has a 7-year-old son of her own, said she could not imagine sending her child off to school without shoes on his feet.
"Vicki asked me to come to the food pantry and see for myself that kids come in there every day without shoes on their feet," Lucas said. "Wal-Mart marked down a section of children's and adult's shoes.
"I couldn't think of a better way to spend money to share shoes with the little ones. This is a great way to serve the community."
Lucas said she sings the praises of the Benton-West City Ministerial Alliance because they help so many in need.
The organization has also attracted the attention of the Benton and West City police departments.
Seagle said she had been working with the Benton Police Department on another matter and happened to talk with Officer Mike McDaniel.
McDaniel, who oversees the Shop with a Cop program, said he is now on another mission.
"This is our sixth or seventh year of the Shop with a Cop program," he said. "We added a Coats for Kids drive and had a very successful year last year. The kids did a great job of collecting coats to help others."
Seagle said Lucas has donated between 80 and 100 pairs of shoes for the Shoes for Kids drive.
"Tiffany called me and said 'We've got these shoes on sale and I am bringing them to you," Seagle said. "They will be a blessing for our children. It breaks my heart to see a child walk into the food pantry, try on a pair of shoes that are two sizes too big or ones that have holes in them. I know that this is probably the only pair of shoes that child will have to start the new school year. What people are doing throughout the communities is fantastic."
