{"id":13526,"date":"2023-09-15T10:44:41","date_gmt":"2023-09-15T14:44:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/inspirationreport\/?p=13526"},"modified":"2023-09-15T12:06:13","modified_gmt":"2023-09-15T16:06:13","slug":"massachusetts-church-distributes-over-1000-pairs-of-sneakers-at-back-to-school-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/inspirationreport\/2023\/09\/massachusetts-church-distributes-over-1000-pairs-of-sneakers-at-back-to-school-event.html","title":{"rendered":"Church Distributes Over 1,000 Pairs of Sneakers at Back-to-School Event"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A Massachusetts church recently distributed over 1,000 pairs of sneakers to low-income families in their community. According to The Christian Post, the Springfield campus of the multisite Vox Church held its third annual sneaker giveaway event, which was done in partnership with the local chapter of the Boys & Girls Club.<\/p>\n

Vox Springfield team member Dan Tedone, who led the event, told The Christian Post that every child in attendance was given a pair of sneakers and a backpack filled with school supplies. Tedone said, \u201cVox Church is grateful to Health New England, Yankee Home Improvement, Springfield Together, and Bethany Assemblies of God for donating additional cash to purchase the remaining sneakers and provide funding for the event.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tedone said the giveaway happened after Springfield campus Pastor Matt DeCiccio sought ways to \u201cmake an impact in the city.\u201d During its inaugural event in 2021, the church distributed around 600 pairs of sneakers to needy students. In 2022, they handed out around 1,000 pairs of shoes. Tedone said, \u201cBy the third year, the event has an amazing reputation in the city, and local businesses and churches were ready to donate funds or products.\u201d<\/p>\n