Why would anyone want to fill their truck with new or slightly used tennis shoes?

If you are Roger Bates and members of Christ’s Church, you’d have an excellent reason.

The church collected shoes and delivered them to Paz de Cristo, a soup kitchen located in Mesa that caters to the homeless.

For many years the church has taken a team to Paz to help with food distribution for the homeless and needy in the area.

But “Paz” does more than provide hot meals. One of the additional things it does is collect shoes for those who have none or for those whose shoes are completely worn out.

Enter Christ’s Church.

Bates challenged the congregation to fill the bed of his truck with shoes. And that’s exactly what they did. Church members donated 485 pairs of shoes.

Bates explained, “We do this each fall as the weather cools. With winter approaching, a good pair of shoes is critical.”

Pastor Don Lawrence said that he was elated with the response from the congregation.

“We have been blessed with members here who are tremendously compassionate and generous,” he said.

“This is just one of the many things our members do on a regular basis.”

Christ’s Church is a non- denominational Christian church located at the corner of Bainbride and Glenbrook.

For more information about the church, visit www.ccfhaz.com or call 837-3121.