Annual skid row giveaway by Fred Jordan Mission benefits low-income children

Several thousand children received new shoes and school supplies Thursday through an annual skid row event organized by the Fred Jordan Mission in downtown Los Angeles. The event, in its 22nd year, takes place on a closed-off 5th Street, converting the hardscrabble streetscape near the mission to a street bazaar of freebies for needy children and their families.

More than 60 employees from Foot Locker were expected to fit 4,000 children with shoes. The company also is donating athletic socks.

Nearly 300 additional volunteers were expected to help distribute new clothing, backpacks, school supplies and hygiene products. They also were providing haircuts and lunch.

One donor, Adrianna Reo, 50, was dealing with her own challenges after working 19 years for a hair-care and cosmetics company in the San Fernando Valley. Her employer was bought out, she said, and the new owner outsourced the human-resources department in which she worked to Costa Rica. She used part of her severance to start a backpack company, the Reo Bakpak Company, and donated 100 packs with school supplies for the event.

"Oh my gosh, this is so uplifting," she said. "I'm still looking for a [paying] job, because I need to work. But when I see these children, my problems can't compare."

Companies or organizations that contributed manpower and/or goods included: In-N-Out Burger; KIDS; Avery Dennison; Wal-Mart; Lucky Brand; Edgewood Press; Barbara Walden; Shelter Partnership; Phillips, Lerner, Lauzon & Jamra; Xpress Supplies; Early, Maslach & Van Dueck; Allen Schwartz; Fargo Logistics; Unilever and Kids Kaps With Love.

-- Howard Blume

Photo: Hailey Valentina, 4, gets a new pair of shoes from Jesus Silva of Foot Locker at the Fred Jordon Mission on Thursday morning. Credit: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Lullu2010]

Bravo for the generousity of those who understand what it is to go without! God Bless you!

[Southoc]

"Several thousand children"

What is the average poverty level now of LA?

[Mike]

A lot of things don't get to me but I think this is such a great direct way to help these kids... Thank you.

[Steve]

Thank you for this article.

[Freebies]

I understand times are tough, wish I could get some free new shoes myself. I noticed watching this on a local news station this morning, they were all Latino kids, just an observation mind you, nothing implied.

[virg]

Schools in the LAUSD should have manditory uniforms, which in the long run will save the parents thousands of dollars, as well as build a sense of equality among the students. I can't begin to tell you how children, living in poverty, will save up their money to buy shoes that cost them hundreds of dollars. Children who can't afford these name brands are often made fun of, taunted, and teased. Also, there wouldn't be pressure among children to try and fit in aethetically.

[Anna]

Deport them!!

[KB]

That little face is heartbreaking , to all those responsible for this act of kindness thank you.

I think we all have to remember these children ARE NOT reponsible for their poverty!

[Hmph]

Yay, more free stuff for the anchor babies! I saw the news coverage; when the cameras came down the line, the hoods on the jackets all went up and they all turned their backs to the cameras. Every single person was of the same ethnic "persuasion"...call it racism if you want, I don't really care. I'm Black and our community has a lot of "needy" people too, who are in the country legally!

Where's ICE when you need them?

[laura g]

I have a full time job, my husband is a disabled former US Marine and we live in a crappy 900 square foot hovel. We, with our 5 yeard old don't qualify for welfare. Where can WE get some donations from Foot Locker, psssh beats Payless Shoes!

[Sabrina]

It's wonderful such programs exist. I can remember how hard it was preparing for back-to-school when I was a struggling lone parent. The state deemed that I made "too much money" for any sort of help, but yet my paycheck didn't stretch very far. Had to make some hard choices back then. No one should have to suffer like that...especially kids!

[Dianna Perales Harris]

What a wonderful act of kindness and generosity.

[jam]

the people who make racist comments shame on you! childern are chiidern no matter what race or ethnic background and should not pay for the sins of the parents. what ever happened to compassion?. I guess its dead along with respect and manners.

[Ray]

What about our own poor US citizens?

[molly]

This is where our help SHOULD be directed. Not Africa, China, the Middle East.
Our number 1 priority should be our own citizens, not taking care of the rest of the world's poor.

I am not necessarily a supporter of welfare or "freebies" but seeing aid go to other countries can be infuriating.

[Julie G]

Nice story Howard! Sounds like a great service for the kids. Good to hear about companies doing what they can to help those in need in their community. The kids are just kids and have a lot to worry about. Helping them out with back-to -school basics like cool shoes, haircuts and school supplies boosts their confidence and encourages them to go to school.

[Erica]

We always donate our kids gently used sneaker to a local Title I school's PE department for the less fortunate kids. I even take over the Foot Locker coupon codesthat I find will help someone.

[Teresa]

there are many kids in our area who need sneakers for school too and alot of families who need Foot Locker discountsto help with their tighter budgets this year.