Fairfax Brings 'Shoes That Fit' to Students in Need
Jan. 12, 2019 -- Students are less likely to have consistent school attendance if they don't have shoes that fit, a problem that Fairfax is seeking to solve with the help of a national nonprofit.
According to Shoes That Fit CEO Amy Fass, “Shoes are expensive. Kids outgrow them quickly. And not fitting in with your classmates causes shame and embarrassment.” She’s not just talking about students who don't have the latest styles. She’s talking about students who are forced to go to school in their grandma’s old shoes or in shoes held together by tape or in shoes two sizes too small because nothing else fits.
Fairfax Elementary has partnered with Shoes That Fit for nearly a decade. The school recently received 50 brand new pairs of sneakers from New Balance and Nordstrom to distribute to students identified by teachers and support staff. Distribution takes place between Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, easing a burden on already struggling parents. School counselor Melinda Stoiciou, who oversees the partnership, summed up its impact when she said, “Seeing the children’s faces light up when they get their shoes and the confidence they have when they put them on their feet is truly priceless.”