Join us for a shoe drive and shoe distribution day for local students

A pair of new athletic shoes is more than just protection for little feet. Shoes can help provide self-esteem, value, and confidence for a child.

Help provide shoes to those in need

Thrivent is working with Samaritan’s Feet and the Santa Lucia Festival Committee to collect and distribute 500 new pairs of athletic shoes to underserved youth in South Omaha so they can start the 2024-2025 school year comfortably and confidently!

Learn more about the partnership with the Santa Lucia Festival.

Will you join us?

June 1 - July 15, 2024 - Drop off new children’s athletic shoes (sizes 1–12) at one of our donation sites.

  • West Omaha Thrivent office, 11602 West Center Road, Suite 200 | Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Midtown Catholic Parish Office, 4804 Grover St. | 8 a.m. - Noon Monday - Friday
  • St. Thomas More Catholic Church during scheduled mass times
  • St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church during scheduled mass times
  • St. Frances Cabrini Parish Center, 1248 S 10th St. | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday
  • Sons of Italy, 1238 S 10th St. | Friday night dinners, 5-8 p.m.
  • St. John’s Church on Creighton’s Campus, 2500 California Plz. | Daytime hours, west side near the elevator

Come share the gift of hope with us

Register to volunteer on August 3 as we distribute new socks and shoes, along with an encouraging message, to students of Pine Elementary and All Saints Schools at the Santa Lucia Festival in Omaha’s Little Italy.
The shoe distribution will be held at:
Pine Elementary School
810 Pine St, Omaha, NE 68108

There are a variety of roles available at this event. The team will explain the process so you can make an impact.

Click here to register as a volunteer on August 3rd, 12:30-3:30 p.m.

See what a shoe distribution event looks like


A student receives a new pair of athletic shoes for the school year.
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A student receives a new pair of athletic shoes for the school year.
A student patiently waits for his new pair of athletic shoes.
2  of  8
A student patiently waits for his new pair of athletic shoes.
A child's feet are washed before he receives new socks and tennis shoes.
3  of  8
Washing feet.jpg
A child's feet are washed before he receives new socks and tennis shoes.
Volunteers place new socks and sneakers on students' feet.
4  of  8
Volunteers place new socks and sneakers on students' feet.
Children write their hopes and dreams on the Hope Wall.
5  of  8
Children write their hopes and dreams on the Hope Wall.
Wearing new socks and shoes, a student takes home his old socks and shoes in a new Hope Tote.
6  of  8
Wearing new socks and shoes, a student takes home his old socks and shoes in a new Hope Tote.
Before receiving new socks and tennis shoes, a volunteer washes the student's feet.
7  of  8
Washing feet2.jpg
Before receiving new socks and tennis shoes, a volunteer washes the student's feet.
A student receives a new pair of athletic shoes for the school year.
8  of  8
A student receives a new pair of athletic shoes for the school year.
1  of  8
A student receives a new pair of athletic shoes for the school year.
1 of 8

You may also donate $25 toward a pair of shoes that will equip and encourage a student for the new school year. To make a donation toward a pair of shoes, visit www.samaritansfeet.org/thrivent.

Your donation of $25 will provide a child in need with a new pair of sneakers.

Considering applying for a Thrivent Action Team to support the Shoe Drive. Gather a team of volunteers to collect athletic shoes of all sizes for boys and girls. The seed money can be used to support the collection and supplement the purchase of additional shoes.

Have questions or need inspiration? Visit the Thrivent Action Team Hub or contact your local Engagement Team member at NebraskaTMN@Thrivent.com

About Samaritan's Feet

Samaritan’s Feet is a non-profit organization that serves and inspires hope in children by providing shoes as the foundation to a spiritual and healthy life resulting in the advancement of education and economic opportunities. Over 30 years ago, a boy in Nigeria, Manny Ohonme, received his first pair of shoes at the age of nine. That simple gifted prompted him to play basketball and follow his dreams, ultimately earning him a college basketball scholarship in the United States. A pair of shoes changed his life. So in 2003, Manny and his wife Tracie, started Samaritan’s Feet with a goal of giving hope through the gift of shoes.

About Thrivent

What Matters To You, Matters To Us
A financial services organization that has generosity at its core sounds unusual. But it’s true. We invest in more than just portfolios—we invest in our communities. As a not-for-profit organization and Fortune 500 company, we offer access to a full suite of charitable giving options, volunteer programs, and partnerships with causes like Habitat for Humanity. When we team up together, we go further.

About Samaritan's Feet

Samaritan’s Feet is a non-profit organization that serves and inspires hope in children by providing shoes as the foundation to a spiritual and healthy life resulting in the advancement of education and economic opportunities. Over 30 years ago, a boy in Nigeria, Manny Ohonme, received his first pair of shoes at the age of nine. That simple gifted prompted him to play basketball and follow his dreams, ultimately earning him a college basketball scholarship in the United States. A pair of shoes changed his life. So in 2003, Manny and his wife Tracie, started Samaritan’s Feet with a goal of giving hope through the gift of shoes.

About Thrivent

What Matters To You, Matters To Us
A financial services organization that has generosity at its core sounds unusual. But it’s true. We invest in more than just portfolios—we invest in our communities. As a not-for-profit organization and Fortune 500 company, we offer access to a full suite of charitable giving options, volunteer programs, and partnerships with causes like Habitat for Humanity. When we team up together, we go further.
No products will be sold. Samaritan's Feet and the Santa Lucia Festival Committee are not affiliated with or endorsed by Thrivent.