Crossroads Community Church is collecting used and new shoes for the Union Rescue Mission in downtown Los Angeles until Dec. 19.

Union Rescue Mission is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the poor and homeless.

"These people are on their feet 20 hours a day, so they go through shoes quite fast," said Crossroads Senior Pastor Todd Smith.

The idea came about as church members discussed how the church can reach out to those in great need.

"Look at the life of Jesus - whenever he saw people he had compassion," Smith said.

"We want to be the eyes and the hands and heart of Christ. So often the church today has a mission of ‘come and see us.' We want to reverse that and be a church that is go and tell. So instead of asking them to come to our church, we're going there."

The entire church congregation will visit the Rescue Mission on Dec. 19 to distribute the shoes and engage with those at the Rescue Mission during a Christmas event complete with coffee, hot chocolate and candy.

Old shoes, new shoes and socks can be donated at 28042 Avenue Stanford Unit D in Valencia. Crossroads' phone number is (661) 775-9502.