Imagine having to go to school in socks and no shoes, because there are four kids in your family, but only three pairs of shoes…and you were last to get dressed. Or to be a boy having to wear his sister’s pink jelly sandals to school. Or to be crying in pain all morning until the school nurse discovers your mom had to roll your toes under to get your feet into a pair of shoes three sizes too small. These are only three of children whom Shoes That Fit helped with the simple provision of a pair of shoes. Some children don’t even go to school because they just don’t have any shoes. One pair of shoes can perform miracles: it can remove the stigma of poverty, build confidence, and improve school performance.
Shoes That Fit was founded in 1992, helping children at one elementary school in Pomona. Now, through a network of volunteers it serves more than 100,000 children annually, operating in 1,200 schools in 35 states. Shoes That Fit has a very direct “supply chain:” it matches sponsoring groups—perhaps a business, a college, or community service group—with nearby schools that have children in need. The school identifies the children, the school nurse takes measurements, and then shoes are purchased specifically for and discretely given to each student. Shoes That Fit also maintains a small emergency warehouse with shoes and clothing for children in dire circumstances such as homelessness or abuse. In 2009, Norris Foundation funds went to the Southern California Back to School and Holiday Shoes and Clothing Project, which provided basic items to more than 20,000 students identified by their schools’ staff as those most in need.