ST. CLAIRSVILLE — First Presbyterian Church is getting children ready for the upcoming school year by giving away free shoes.

The annual shoe giveaway was on Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m. with a second round from 5-7 p.m.

Volunteer Sondra Ikey said that the giveaway was started by the late Jesse Pollock. When Pollock turned 100 years old, she said that she didn’t want any presents but wanted her friends and family to donate children’s shoes to the church to be given away to those in need.

Ikey said that the church has continued to host the giveaway throughout the years because charity is very important to the church.

“​​It’s just part of our church, one of our missions is to help people and there’s a big need for it now,” she said.

In addition to Wednesday’s giveaway, the church will also give away coats, socks, and mittens next Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m.

To receive the free shoes, students needed to be accompanied by an adult and had to be a student and a resident of the St. Clairsville-Richland School District.

Ikey said that although the requirements are in place, the church will never refuse a child who needs any of the items. She added that the church gave away 49 pairs of shoes and 37 coats during Wednesday’s giveaway.

Volunteer Paula Koch said that she was surprised that so many coats were given away because warm summer weather Wednesday.

She said giving away socks is a good addition to the event because summer is sandal weather which means children typically don’t wear socks but want to try on the shoes to ensure they fit.

“One mom said, ‘this is sandal weather, I never thought about bringing socks to try shoes on.’ So we keep the socks out so that the kids can try on the shoes,” Koch said.

Ikey added that in addition to the kids’ shoes, used adult shoes are given away to also help the parents.