Good souls donate soles and clothes before school starts in Phenix City

PHENIX CITY, AL (WTVM) - As families across Alabama get some early back-to-school shopping in on this tax-free weekend, generous donors and city leaders partnered with local churches and other organizations to donate new shoes and clothes for children in need.

The cost of buying new clothes is sometimes too high for them to budget and save room for the essentials.

That's where local leaders step in, to help their neighbors as part of Mayor Eddie Lowe and the city council's 'Compassion Day' 2018.

"It's a lot of things that kids need and families need," said City Manager Wallace Hunter. "[Mayor Lowe] wanted to make sure that all these are provided with clothing and shoes on their feet; new shoes and new clothing to make sure they know that people care."

The new shoes and clothes, donated and collected through the 'No Bare Soles' distribution program helped mothers like Krystle Foxworth.

"My two sons, they got a whole wardrobe. Pants, and hats, shoes, and belts," she said. "It's a blessing from God above."

Hunter said he hopes the community will continue to rally around its neighbors.

"It warms my heart...I've been working with the city most of my life," Hunter said. "And over the past few years, it's getting better and better and better, as far as the compassion for people, and really from the heart. When it's from the heart, it shows."

"Thank you so, so much," Foxworth said. "If it wasn't for them, my kids wouldn't have new back-to-school clothes."

This is the 3rd annual Compassion Day celebration hosted in Phenix City.

The idea came from a commission spearheaded by Mayor Lowe, who said he wanted to spread love and kindness across the city.

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