OAKLAND, Calif.  Members of First African Methodist Episcopalian Church are trying to take some of the pressure out of peer pressure by providing new shoes to needy school age children.
The Tri-Valley Herald reported that members of First AME, the city's oldest African-American church, raised nearly $10,000 to buy 630 pairs of shoes for the needy in an attempt to make the first school days less stressful.
"New shoes are not as important as making good grades in school, but the two go together," said the Rev. Harold Mayberry, First AME pastor. "If a young student feels good and new shoes can do that, it can give you some dignity … and that student will do better in school. I remember growing up a lot of us didn't have shoes for school."
On Labor Day, the newspaper reported, hundreds of families visited the church to collect certificates redeemable at Payless Shoe Stores.
"We have always believed that a church in the community that doesn't give back to the community doesn't need to be in the community," Mayberry said.
West Oakland resident Barbara Holden picked up two pairs of shoes for her two children who are 16 and 11.
"It's a wonderful program," said Holden, who saw a flier, filled out an application and told neighbors.
