RAWANG, Aug 27 (Sin Chew Daily) — A thousand pairs of white canvas shoes for primary school students will be given away to those in need!

As the black shoe policy for students will be implemented soon, Pasaraya BB Kim Wah in Rawang has announced to give away some 1,000 pairs of white canvas shoes for those in need.

Shop owner Zhang Guo Zhen, 43, said the company decided to give away thousand pairs of white shoes as a form of contribution towards the society.

The white shoes are to be given away at its headquarter in Rawang and another outlet in Puchong Prima.

Zhang's family owns a total of 16 shops in Rawang, Batang Berjuntai, Klang, Puchong and Subang, and the family has decided to give away the shoes in two of the outlets.

"As long as you have primary school kids who need the white shoes, you are welcome to pick up the right size of the shoes at these two outlets. We will give away while stocks last," he said.

Zhang said currently the shop is left with size 33 to 37 for year 2 to year 6 pupils.

"We also welcome persons-in-charge at orphanage homes to contact us. We will arrange for the white shoes to be delivered to underprivileged groups as well. We are not having enough manpower and five of our siblings are running the 16 shops. We are unable to visit the orphanage homes ourselves," said Zhang.

He said before the change of policy requiring pupils to wear black shoes to school, the white shoes ordered from oversea suppliers had arrived and could not be canceled.

"Despite the one-year grace period offered by the government, many parents are worried and have bought black shoes for their children. Many students who have seen their classmates wearing black shoes to school are keen to join them. Despite a drop in the price of white shoes from RM29.90 to RM5, sale has been sluggish and we are running losses.

"We are operating a family business. Everyone is disappointed about the losses. After discussing with my brothers and my father, we decided to give away the white shoes to those needing them instead of discarding the shoes," said Zhang.

Although school pupils have to wear black shoes to school, white shoes can still be used as running shoes or for other purposes.

"Parents can approach us to pick up the shoes. They can take two to three pairs each. We do not allow the children to try to put on the shoes as we are still in RMCO. If the parents want six to seven pairs of shoes we may decide after verifying with them.

"This is to prevent reselling the shoes for profit. So far, we do not have parents taking more than six pairs. We hope the shoes will be given away to those who really need them," he said.