Families with children and teens were served statewide through Buckner Family Hope Center distributions in preparation for back-to-school, giving more than 7,000 children much needed school supplies.
These events connected attendees with community collaborators, including local nonprofits, businesses, sports organizations, health providers, and churches who offered resources and services designed to support children and families throughout the school year.
Distributions were hosted by Buckner Family Hope Centers in Longview, with over 2,000 served; San Antonio, with over 300 served; Houston, with over 1,800 served; Rio Grande Valley, with over 900 served; Dallas, with over 1,400 served; and Midland, with over 390 served. Collectively, more than 7,000 children were helped to prepare for the new school year.
Back-to school efforts also included participation in The Junior League of Lufkin’s annual Back-to-School Bonanza, where over 1,500 Lufkin residents were served, and the Camp Buckner School Supply Drive in Burnet, where 394 backpacks filled with school supplies were collected in the month of July and donated to Burnet and Llano Independent School District in the Texas Hill Country to be distributed among their students.
Kids received backpacks, school supplies, and new shoes.
At some distributions, free services like haircuts, health checkups, and immunizations were also provided to ease the financial burden of back-to-school costs for families.
“Every student deserves to start the school year feeling confident and prepared,” said Monica Salinas, senior director of Buckner Family Hope Centers and Family Support Services.
“As costs continue to rise, the gift of a backpack, clothes, or school supplies is a huge relief for families. Distributions like these help ensure they have the resources they need. Promoting education is an integral part of Buckner’s mission in the community, as education protects children and strengthens families.”
Shoes for souls
Shawn Spurrier, director of Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls, said over 28,000 pairs of shoes have been distributed across the world this year alone, and the need in the U.S. is on the rise.
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“With what’s going on right now with prices going up, … we’ve talked about this AP article that came out recently discussing how families are talking domestically about whether they’re going to put food on the table or purchase a pair of shoes for their kids going back to school,” Spurrier said.
“This is a burden that’s difficult for families to carry. So, just being able to come alongside them is important,” Spurrier added.
The reactions from families and their children as they receive a pair of shoes and an attached note sharing the love of Jesus are what make Spurrier’s 12 years of serving Buckner worthwhile.
“I never get past seeing those moments where a kid is going to immediately get their pair of shoes, and they’re going to want to jump up and down, or run, test out their running skills. Or if they’ve got their buddy or a sibling with them, … pointing at their shoes and showing off what they’ve got. It’s a sweet moment,” Spurrier said.
How to help
Churches can partner with Buckner’s Shoes for Orphan Souls ministry in several ways, including hosting shoe drives to collect new shoes and socks from their congregations, Spurrier said.
Churches also can organize virtual shoe drives, which provide a fundraising option without requiring physical collection boxes.
The ministry also relies heavily on volunteers to process and distribute donated shoes.
Buckner also works with churches seeking to strengthen generosity, discipleship, and gospel outreach by providing resources and missional opportunities. Local churches with outreach needs can request shoes when inventory is available.
Spurrier emphasized there is an opportunity for everyone to participate, whether by donating $15 toward a pair of shoes, providing shoes or socks, writing encouraging notes to children, or praying for those who will receive the shoes.
He described the shoe ministry as an entry point into Buckner’s broader ministry efforts and said it offers opportunities for people of all ages to serve.
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