MANSFIELD — Children from low-income families in Richland County will receive brand new athletic style shoes courtesy of Gov. Mike DeWine’s Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives (GOFBCI).
The GOFBCI will provide 300 pairs of Operation Warm shoes to children in Richland County through a collaboration with the North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC), the Mansfield Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (MIMA) and We ACT.
Last year, GOFBCI office partnered with Operation Warm, a national nonprofit that manufactures brand-new coats for children in need, to launch a pilot that provided brand-new shoes.
The program was executed in partnership with Community Action Agencies and gifted new shoes to more than 5,000 children across the state of Ohio.
Last year marked a milestone for Operation Warm, as it gifted its four-millionth brand-new coat, and now, the nonprofit has expanded its mission to include brand-new shoes.
“Last year, our survey data told us that in addition to coats, shoes were an essential need for the children we serve,” said Grace Sica, executive director for Operation Warm.
“We responded with a pilot program that distributed 10,000 pair of brand-new shoes in select U.S. markets. The feedback from teachers, parents, and the kids has been resoundingly positive. This initiative would not have been possible without support from partners like Ohio Governor DeWine and his team at GOFBCI,” Sica said.
NECIC Executive Director Deanna West-Torrence said such efforts benefit the entire community.
“We, at NECIC, are grateful for the opportunity to support this initiative of Operation Warm with our community partners, We ACT, MIMA, and Governor Mike DeWine’s Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives to provide shoes for 300 children in our community,” West-Torrence said.
“Working together with across various sectors to meet even the most basic needs of our local children, builds and strengthens our relationships, and ultimately enriches our community,” West-Torrence said.
The shoes will be distributed beginning Tuesday, March 16, at NECIC, 134 N. Main St.
Appointment Scheduling:
Parents/Guardians must complete a TANF form online on the NECIC website/Facebook page or pick up a form at NECIC.
Parents/guardians will receive a call from a representative from NECIC to schedule an appointment time to pick up the shoes.
Parent/guardian must bring a form of ID and a copy of the completed TANF form to the appointment. (The form will require social security numbers and dates of birth for all household members.) We do not need to see birth certificates or social security cards.
The statewide mask mandate will be followed. Masks are required during the appointment and will be provided.
For more information, contact NECIC Business Operations Manager Tionna Perdue at 419-522-1611, ext 102.
