RALEIGH, N.C. – Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton let his feet do the talking for an effort by a nonprofit to raise money for shoes for needy North Carolina children.

Dalton and representatives of the group Samaritan’s Feet stood barefoot Wednesday outside his Raleigh office to begin the group’s fundraising in the state.

Charlotte-based Samaritan’s Feet was started by a native of Nigeria who got his first pair of shoes at age 9. The group has donated nearly 3 million pairs of shoes worldwide and wants to give away 25,000 in North Carolina.

It’s setting up shoe distribution drives and working with The Finish Line sports apparel stores to collect donations. Dalton said the drive can help families struggling to buy clothing in difficult economic times.