Barefoot No Longer: Helping Appalachian Children Walk Into a Brighter Future

Every child deserves a proper pair of shoes. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), one of the most crucial back-to-school purchases for any parent is a well-fitting pair of shoes. Unfortunately, for many families in distressed Appalachian communities, buying new shoes is out of reach when their primary focus is on essentials like rent, utilities, and food.

In these communities, children often wear hand-me-down shoes that don’t fit properly passed down from siblings or even parents. These shoes are typically too big, too small, or worn out. Some children even show up to school during the cold Appalachian winters wearing flip-flops. The APMA cautions against improper footwear, as it can cause foot problems, and sharing shoes can spread infections like athlete’s foot.

The Barefoot Program: Providing a Solution for Appalachian Children

Recognizing this need, Americans Helping Americans® launched the Barefoot Program, which last year provided more than $11,000 in grants to local partners in Kentucky, West Virginia, and other areas. These funds were used to buy hundreds of pairs of shoes for children in need. The program allows children to pick out their own brand-new shoes—often the first pair they've ever owned.

The impact is clear:

• A little girl who used to trudge through snow in sandals now has sturdy, weather-appropriate shoes to keep her feet warm and dry.
• A young boy who once missed gym class because he didn’t have proper sneakers can now fully participate in school activities.

This year, as the Appalachian winter approaches, Americans Helping Americans® will again provide $11,000 to ensure that more children have warm, comfortable footwear to make it through the cold months.

Why It Matters

A proper pair of shoes is more than just a physical necessity—it’s a key to a child’s self-confidence. Ill-fitting shoes can cause both physical pain and emotional discomfort, leading to poorer performance in school and even social isolation. The Barefoot Program seeks to alleviate this burden and give children in Appalachia the basic dignity of having shoes that fit.