OCEANSIDE — Wednesdays have gotten busier for Payless ShoeSource stores since they partnered up with the Footsteps program to provide new school shoes for low-income students. Almost every Wednesday from September through May, a busload of elementary students ready to receive new shoes pulls up to a Payless ShoeSource store.

Nearly 50 students from Libby Elementary were fitted with new tennies and Mary Janes on March 19. “We let them pick out their own shoes,” said Footsteps volunteer Carol Buel. Spiderman and Batman sneakers are favorites of boys and Hannah Montana shoes are popular with girls, she added.

Payless ShoeSource provides a discount price to the Footsteps program. “Kids do better in school and sports when they feel good in a comfortable pair of shoes,” said Jennifer Garcia, manager of the Payless ShoeSource on College Avenue.

Footsteps is part of the Operation School Bell program run by the Assistance League North Coast. Operation School Bell helps provide low-income students with school essentials, like a sturdy pair of well-fitted shoes. The Footsteps program started in 1994 with three to four schools, said Ruth Schneider, Footsteps president. Today Footsteps serves 28 elementary schools and two Head Start Programs.

For more information on the Footsteps program, log on to www.assistanceleaguenorthcoast.