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Fred Jordan Mission, Foot Locker Keep 27-Year Tradition Alive

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Fred Jordan Mission and Foot Locker kept a 27-year tradition alive Thursday by handing out shoes and school supplies to underprivileged children, like Vanessa Figueroa.

Figueroa waited for hours at the mission on Towne Avenue to score some sneakers she says she plans to wear to school, according to CBS2's Stephanie Simmons.

Over the years, the mission has given away 130,000 shoes, and this year alone, more than 4,000 kids will be sporting new sneakers along with new school supplies.

"I remember going to school barefoot and the teacher looked down and she said, 'Willie Lou, where are your shoes?' That was over 70 years ago. And I still remember the sting of her words," said Willie Jordan of the Fred Jordan Mission. "I don't want these kids to go through that."

Willie said backpacks, clothes, hygiene kits and free haircuts were also distributed.

"It's really exciting to be out here with the public and to know that people really care for the kids," Cheryl Yarborough, an attendee, said.

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