­ATLANTA-Head men's basketball coach Ron Hunter and his Panthers will host Georgia State's third annual “Barefoot for Bare Feet” game in support of Samaritan's Feet on Jan. 18 as GSU hosts Sun Belt foe UALR at the Sports Arena. Georgia's Own Credit Union will sponsor the game set for 2:30 p.m., following the women's basketball game.

Head women's basketball coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener will join Hunter for the first time this year by coaching barefoot as well when the Panthers tip-off at noon against UALR.

Samaritan's Feet is an organization that distributes shoes to impoverished children around the world. Hunter has been involved with Samaritan's Feet since 2008, coaching one game each season in his bare feet to raise awareness and funds for this worthy cause. Since 2008, he has helped the organization distribute shoes around the world to two million children in need.

Hunter's involvement with Samaritan's Feet goes much deeper than just raising funds. In 2011, shortly after he arrived at Georgia State, he traveled to Nigeria for shoe distribution and outreach. Then, in the summer of 2012, Hunter and his entire team journeyed to South Africa for a similar mission, helping thousands of children and providing a life-changing learning experience for the Georgia State student-athletes.

When the NCAA Final Four came to Atlanta last spring, Hunter and his team provided shoes for children in Atlanta. This coming summer, Hunter will take the team on another trip to help distributed shoes. Details on that trip will be announced at a later date.

“Samaritan's Feet is an organization near to my heart,” Hunter said. “To me, it is a lot more than just charity work. Seeing the smile on a child's face when we wash their feet and put a new pair of shoes on their feet is more worthwhile than any championship I could ever win.

“The Georgia State fan base has been incredible in the two years that we have done this and I have no doubt fans will support this great cause once again this year.”

Alumni and fans are asked to support Samaritan's Feet through monetary donations. Fans can click here to donate on the coach Hunter Samaritan's Feet page.

To purchase tickets, make a donation or receive more information, please contact the Panther Sales Center at 866-GA-STATE.

Following the men's game, the Penny Pick-up will take place on the court as children 12 years old and younger will participate in the annual event. Members of Pounce's Kids Club will get a 20-second head start on the field. To sign-up for Pounce's Kids Club, click here.

The Georgia State men's team is currently riding a six-game winning streak and stands 9-6 and 2-0 in the Sun Belt, tied for first place with Western Kentucky, Arkansas State and UALR. The women's team is 5-9 and 1-1 in league play, having won five of its last nine games. Tickets for both games can be purchased by calling 866-GA-STATE, going online at GeorgiaStateSports.com, or by visiting the GSU Ticket Office at 125 Decatur Street in downtown Atlanta.