Hilham Elementary School holding a sneaker drive to keep shoes available for students whose footwear wears out or no longer fits.
Principal Lori Mosley said the school had only a couple of pairs of shoes in its clothes closet, despite encountering students with different needs each week. The drive aims to build a supply of properly fitting footwear that students can access when needed.
“There’s a need for some students with shoes,” Mosley said. “Shoes wear out fast. Kids grow fast and we just want to have those on hand for our students so that that’s something we can help with when they need it.”
Mosley said staff members have previously made trips to local stores to purchase shoes when unexpected needs arise. Properly fitting footwear also helps students safely participate in physical education, recess and playground activities while improving their confidence.
“They have PE, they have recess, you know, they’re out on the playground and of them having shoes that fit aside from just being safer for ’em, it just you know increases their self-confidence,” Mosley said.
Mosley said the clothes closet is located near the guidance counselor’s classroom, where students can receive supplies discreetly. Teachers can also contact the counselor when they identify a student who needs assistance.
“The teachers can also reach out to our guidance counselor and she can make sure that those students have whatever item it is they need and do it in a discreet manner so that other students don’t know about it,” Mosley said.
The school hopes to collect approximately 28 pairs of new or gently used sneakers through November, using Facebook boards listing needed youth and adult sizes. Community members can select a size, comment on the school’s post and receive drop-off instructions through a private message.
Mosley said local churches and community members regularly respond when the school identifies a need, helping ensure students have the necessities to feel comfortable and prepared to learn.
“Our goal is just to have what our students need on hand when they need it,” Mosley said. “Our community is great as far as taking care of their kids.”