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Thousands Of Children Receive New Apparel, School Supplies On Skid Row

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Thousands of underprivileged children on Skid Row participated in one of the largest back-to-school giveaways on Thursday.

At 9 a.m., volunteers with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, corporations, churches and schools escorted more than 4,000 children to Fred Jordan Missions, located at 445 Towne Avenue, on Skid Row.

During the giveaway, each child received new footwear, socks, apparel, backpacks and school supplies.

Event coordinators explained this was the first opportunity for many children to receive a brand new pair of athletic shoes.

"Children throughout the Southland look forward to this day all year," said Willie Jordan, President of Fred Jordan Missions. "Countless children come to this event with old, ragged, too-small shoes stapled or taped together. They leave with brand new beautiful, colorful athletic shoes."

An In-N-Out food truck provided burgers for everyone at the event.

After lunch, children made their way over to a Paul Mitchell tent where hairdressers cut and styled their hair.

Foot Locker, a specialty athletic retailer, and Fred Jordan Missions, a non-profit organization, partnered together for this event.

Their 27-year partnership has provided more than 100,000 children with new athletic shoes.

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