'I got new shoes and new shirts!' Kids with Salvation Army Spokane go back to school shopping with local law enforcement

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Around 60 local children from Salvation Army's two foster care programs and shelter went back to school shopping with local law enforcement Wednesday morning.

"We hope kids leave with confidence for a new school year, a better understanding of how law enforcement is there to protect them, and just joy and excitement for the coming year ahead," said Captain Kelly Cain with the Salvation Army.

Each kid was paired with an officer and given a budget of $150 to spend on back to school clothes at Old Navy.

"I got new shoes, new shirts and new pants," said Eli, one of the kids who was back to school shopping.

When one kid was asked what his favorite part of the event was, he answered "shopping with a cop."

Law enforcement from Spokane Police, Spokane Valley Police, Liberty Lake Police and the Spokane County Sheriff's Department were all there to shop with the kids.

Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said not all of these kids have had positive interactions with law enforcement, so this was a good opportunity to interact with the kids and give them a good experience.

"Day in and day out, the men and women of law enforcement are asked to do really hard things, and this is an opportunity for them to take a step back from what they're being asked to do and just have a really good interaction with really good kids," said Sheriff Nowels. "It helps with their emotional well-being. It helps with their mental toughness, and it shows them that you're part of this community, you matter."

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