Education Foundation and Payless Shoes providing shoes to children in need

NEWS RELEASE

Indian River Academy Principal Diane Fannin and her students benefit from the Payless Gives Shoes 4 Kids program.

The Education Foundation of Indian River County (EF-IRC) is pleased to announce that they have been selected as an official partner of Payless GivesTM Shoes 4 Kids, an annual giving program from Payless ShoeSource. The EF-IRC’s grant application was one of 1,000 that were reviewed. Charitable agencies representing all 50 states in the United States were selected as partners of the holiday giving program. The EF-IRC will be distributing merchandise certificates for children’s shoes through their Sneaker Exchange Program.

The Sneaker Exchange program serves students enrolled in the School District of Indian River County school system. Students in grades Pre-K through 12th grades are referred by teachers, support staff and administrators. The Free and Reduced Lunch Report is used as a means of identifying children in need. There are 56 scheduled exchanges for elementary students from September to May. Secondary students receive vouchers that are redeemable for a new pair of sneakers. The program keeps economically disadvantaged children on a path of learning by providing them a pair of durable sneakers to participate safely in all school activities, comfortably, and proudly.

This is the seventh year of the Payless GivesTM Shoes 4 Kids program. Although studies show that properly fitting shoes are important for children’s health and development, a striking number of children don’t own a pair of shoes that fit. We are working to remedy that through our Sneaker Exchange Program.

For more information about the Sneaker Exchange Program or the many ways the EF-IRC keeps children on a path of learning visit: http://www.edfoundationirc.org, email: director@edfoundationirc.org or call: (772) 564-0034.