Brunswick woman on a mission to provide 'Shoes for Souls'

Wendy Jones loves to see the students’ faces when they receive new shoes from Power Walking Ministries.

They grin and strut around the room, excited to have something just for them. But sometimes, the fit is not quite right, and Jones needs to exchange them. For elementary students, this can be difficult to understand.

“If they put on a pair of shoes, and they don’t fit, they’ll cry when I say ‘I need to take these back and get another pair,’ and they’re like, ‘No, they’ll be fine, Mrs. Jones.’”

In those cases, Jones just tells the students to keep the shoes and presents them with a pair in the correct size the following day.

A physical education teacher at Southport Elementary School, Jones founded Power Walking Ministries in 2007 with the mission of providing students with new, proper-fitting sneakers so they could participate in physical education classes and play on the playground safely. The idea grew out of a women’s Bible study group.

Initially, the group supplied shoes only to students at Southport Elementary, but now help 20 schools in Brunswick County.

Shoes are purchased by Power Walking Ministries following a referral by a teacher, school counselor, social workers, or administrator. The organization estimates it will provide 800 pairs of shoes to 350 children in need during the 2023-2024 school year.

When it comes to selecting the shoes, Jones doesn’t grab the first pair she sees. She personalizes each pair incorporating the students’ favorite colors, any sports they play, and any special needs they may have.

“I just make sure when we get the shoes that they have good, lasting tennis shoes, and that they get the best,” Jones said.

Funding for Power Walking Ministries’ “Shoes for Souls” program comes from individual donors, local organizations and grants.

Anne Joyner was excited to join Power Walking Ministries' board of directors after retiring from South Brunswick Middle School last year.

“I have seen personally what it has done for the kids, and the way they react when these shoes come in,” she said. “The need is there. It’s real.”

For more information about Power Walking Ministries or to donate, visit powerwalkingministries.com.

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This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Brunswick students in need receive shoes from Power Walking Ministries