Students from kindergarten to fifth grade were treated to a surprise shoe shopping experience. After lining up in the hallway, they were guided to the cafeteria to find Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (Louisiana Blue), Healthy Blue Louisiana volunteers waiting to help them pick out new tennis shoes. The giveaway is part of a statewide initiative by Louisiana Blue, Healthy Blue Louisiana and Operation Warm – a national nonprofit that provides essential clothing to children in need. Earlier this week, volunteers distributed more than 1,500 coats at schools in North Louisiana, and a similar shoe giveaway was held in Abbeville. This is the first time an Operation Warm shoe giveaway has been held in Southwest Louisiana, she said.