Local Organization Seeking Shoe Donations For Underprivileged Children
DURHAM, N.C. — A local organization needs a hand taking care of the feet of the youth in local communities.
The nonprofit RNS Sports is launching the sixth year of the “Project 300” campaign, which aims to collect at least 300 pairs of shoes for underprivileged children.
RNS President Sherard Johnson said more people are showing up each year, indicating a growing need in the community.
“Now you have people that will come from outside of Durham as well, and that’s some of the issues we are having,” Johnson said.
Shoes are just one important expense as kids head back to school, and families are wondering if the prices for back-to-school items will be better or worse.
New numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show shoe prices are down 2 percent from this time last year—but that’s still 7 percent more than three years ago.
N.C. State University economics professor Michael Walden tells CBS 17 that the drop is due to some people not buying shoes as frequently as they used to.
“People are still upset, and they should be with prices and the general state of inflation,” Walden said.
Girls’ clothing is up 1.5 percent from a year ago, boys’ clothing is up nearly 2 percent, but computers and cell phones are down 7 percent from a year ago.
All these expenses add up, and that’s why Johnson says he’s glad to be able to help families with children.
“I want to help as many families and touch as many families as possible,” Johnson said.
To learn more about Project 300, look for @RNSsportsNC on Instagram or X or email RNSsportsNC@gmail.com.