First Day Shoe Fund distributes brand new athletic shoes through local school districts each fall. During the first two months of each new school year, we distribute shoes to qualifying families in all Kalamazoo Public Elementary Schools, Portage Public Elementary Schools, Comstock Public Elementary Schools, and Paramount Charter Academy. Throughout the year, we work with staff at KRESA’s WoodsEdge Learning Center to fit qualifying students with shoes. We partner with South County Community Services and Generous Hands of Vicksburg to distribute shoes during the summer Backpack Bonanza. First Day Shoe Fund continues to help students in need throughout the school year whenever possible.”
Students who qualify for free or reduced price lunch, as set by the federal government, are eligible to receive shoes from FDSF. Shoes are ordered and distributed through participating Kalamazoo County elementary schools.
Students attending the following elementary schools will receive sign up forms during the first week of school in September. Families should return these forms complete with student name and desired shoe size and gender. Shoes will be delivered a few weeks later to the child’s classroom:
Comstock Public Schools (K – 5)
Comstock Elementary
Comstock STEM Academy
Kalamazoo Public Schools (PEEP – 5)
Arcadia
Edison
El Sol
Greenwood
Indian Prairie
Lincoln
King-Westwood
Milwood
Northeastern
Northglade
Parkwood Upjohn
Prairie Ridge
Spring Valley
Washington
Winchell
KRESA
WoodsEdge Learning Center
Paramount Charter Academy
Portage Public Schools
12th St Elementary
Amberly Elementary
Angling Rd Elementary
Central Elementary
Haverhill Elementary
Lake Center Elementary
Moorsbridge Elementary
Woodland Elementary
Vicksburg Backpack Bonanza
New districts coming in 2020–stay tuned!
