> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.richmonder.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Back-to-school shoe event celebrates 20 years, with more than 120,000 pairs given out - URL: https://www.richmonder.org/back-to-school-shoe-event-celebrates-20-years-with-more-than-120-000-pairs-given-out/ - Published: 2026-08-21T16:27:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-21T16:27:00.000Z - Description: “I know it's only one pair of shoes, but to a child, one pair of shoes on the first day of school is what makes them happy, because it made me happy.” - Author: Haidyn Brockelman - Tags: Local News, #lead At 4 a.m. on August 22, Rita Willis will arrive at Third Street Bethel AME to set up for an event she’s spent all year preparing for, the “New Shoes for Back to School Ministry.” Students who participate receive a new pair of shoes for the upcoming school year. Despite the early hour, and the fact that the doors don’t open until 8 a.m., she said there will already be families in line. She’s seen people bring lawn chairs, blankets and even coolers. “They know the designer shoes are (there) if they get there early,” she said. “You know how these kids are with these designer shoes, with these Michael Jordans or whatever…so they get in line first.” This marks the event’s 20th year. In 2006, Willis, who goes by “SeñoRita,” was her church’s missionary president. At the time, she felt like there was something she and the church needed to do for the community, but was at a loss for what that could be. Inspiration struck after she had a conversation with her friend, who mentioned “a shoe thing” being held in Baltimore. However, Willis emphasized that this shoe ministry would only accept new shoes, no pre-owned or “half-used.” She said this requirement stemmed from her childhood, when she was a Black student in segregated Dinwiddie County and had to walk several miles to school. She recalled only having two pairs of shoes – a pair of black-and-whites and a pair of loafers – which she “hated” and would hide under her bed. “I know it's only one pair of shoes, but to a child, one pair of shoes on the first day of school is what makes them happy, because it made me happy,” she said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/IMG_2190.jpg) Saxon Shoes sends volunteers to measure shoe sizes before the children select their pair. (Photos contributed by Rita Willis) ### **Growth through the years** In the first year, Willis said the group distributed 792 pairs of shoes. Since 2006, they’ve given out more than 120,000 pairs. Currently, there are 10 participating congregations, including two synagogues, in the Metropolitan Richmond Partnership of Churches/Synagogues. Preparations begin far in advance of the event. All of the participating congregations send a representative – for Third Street, that’s Willis – for monthly meetings, starting in January. Willis said the community has always been very supportive of the ministry, including businesses. She emphasized that the ministry does not have sponsorships out of concern that this could lead to corporations taking over and changing the event, but they do have supporters and partnerships. Previous supporters have included Kroger, Walmart and Lowe’s, as well as local businesses; a nearby medical supplies store donates masks – all attendees are required to be masked – and restaurants have provided continental breakfasts for volunteers. Willis recalled one particular partnership that arose in the first year with Saxon Shoes in Short Pump. “They heard about the shoe ministry on television,” she said. “They said, ‘We hear that right now you have the shoe ministry going on, and we’d like to offer some kind of assistance.’” Willis requested additional shoes as they had begun to run low, which the business granted in full, as well as sending volunteers. They have continued working with the ministry ever since, providing free shoe sizing services for the children. Saxon also sets up a special discounted section specifically for the Partnership several weeks before the event; Willis said the prices are discounted up to 80%. In order to support event operations – including Port-a-Johns for attendees, parking reservations for volunteers and post-event sanitization – each congregation is required to contribute financially as well. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/IMG_2192.jpg) Lines form early the morning of the event. ### **Day-of** At two minutes to 8 a.m., the doors open. Groups are let in, roughly 20 at a time depending on family size. Each family is assigned a volunteer escort, which is designed to maintain as much order as possible. They are also required to all stick together, even if there are multiple children. The children first get their feet measured by a Saxon volunteer and receive a pair of try-on socks, then proceed to their corresponding shoe size table. Each child is allowed one pair of shoes. After the child picks out their shoes, they put them in a bag. In order to keep track of how many shoes have been distributed, the inventory volunteers must mark down each pair that’s distributed. This record-keeping helps inform the following year’s operations, as it gives the congregations a rough idea of what kind of attendance they can expect. All families are directed to a particular exit door, which she said she likes to wait by sometimes to see how excited the kids are. “I'll station myself in different places (depending on) what I want to see or feel from that particular year,” she explained. “And I'm going, ‘Did you like your shoes? Can I see them?’ And then they'll pull them out like, ‘This is what I got. This is the best day of my life.’” Though the event is only scheduled to run until 2 p.m. – closing is signalled by a bell being rung. Willis said there are rarely issues, citing one person who tried to return for a second pair in a past year, but noted that security is present as a last resort. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/IMG_2187.jpg) ### **Local impact** Willis said the shoe ministry has had an incredibly positive impact on the community. “The second year that we had the shoe ministry, this grandmother came over to me, and she was crying, and I’m going, ‘Oh God, what’s wrong?’” she recalled. “She said, ‘Ma'am, I want to let you know that you have saved our life…I'm raising my daughter's three children because my daughter (is) strung out on drugs, and I had no way of getting shoes for these children for school. When I heard about this ministry, we came,’ and she said, ‘Thank you.’” Willis said the exchange brought her to tears; even just remembering it, she got emotional. Even greater than hearing from the parents and guardians is seeing and talking with the children, she said. “The little kids, their eyes brighten up like Santa Claus is here,” Willis said. “It's like Christmas morning.” *Contact Intern Haidyn Brockelman at* [*hbrockelman@richmonder.org*](mailto:hbrockelman@richmonder.org)*.*