Sneaker drive to help New Haven youths

NEW HAVEN >> Pastor Brenda Adkins and her husband, John, through their church, His Divine Fellowship Ministry, are in the midst of their "Cover Thy Brethren’s Feet" campaign, with a goal of collecting 1,000 pairs of sneakers by Sept. 20 to be given away in the James Hillhouse High School gym.

The couple, involved in many street ministries through the years, including for a Feed the Children food truck visit in November, has been working with other volunteers through the summer to collect donations.

 

 

The effort is in part inspired by learning that children can be made fun of over their footwear, Brenda Adkins has said.

Donations also can be mailed or dropped off at the couple’s home, 330 Munson St., second floor, New Haven, 06511.

The Adkinses have been active in the community for years, feeding the hungry, educating people about HIV/AIDS, counseling newly released prisoners and clothing the needy; after a few years working in another city, they returned to New Haven.

In photo:
From left, Deacon Melvin Bowman, Bishop John Adkins, Pastor Brenda Adkins and Elder Barbara Lawhorn collect donations for the “Cover Thy Brethrenís Feet” campaign, to buy sneakers for youths, outside Stop & Shop at the Amity plaza in New Haven.