Why New Shoes Matter for Kids in Appalachia
Throughout Appalachia, countless children arrive at school in worn-out, ill-fitting, hand-me-down shoes, often with more holes than soles.
“Without a good pair of shoes, the kids feel embarrassed, discouraged, or left out – simply because they lack something most of us take for granted,” states Dyanne Spriggs, executive director of our partner in distressed McDowell County, West Virginia, Big Creek People in Action (BCPIA).
“Poverty statistics in our county clearly show the need for kids’ shoes,” she says. “Often, the most visible sign of poverty is the condition of the child’s shoes.”
For context, national studies also highlight how child poverty disproportionately affects rural Appalachian families, Pew Research.
The Barefeet Program: Restoring Dignity Step by Step
This year, the goal of Americans Helping Americans® through our Barefeet program is to provide hundreds of children and youth with a brand-new pair of shoes that they select themselves—many for the first time in their lives.
- Last year’s impact:
- In McDowell County, West Virginia, BCPIA provided 127 children with new shoes thanks to a $2,000 grant, at an average cost of $16 each.
- In Gainesville, Georgia, our partner LAMP Ministries outfitted 119 children and youth with shoes costing less than $20 per pair.
- In Beattyville, Kentucky, the Lee County Middle High School Youth Service Center (YSC) used a $5,000 grant to provide 60 middle and high school students with shoes.
Real Stories: Hope Woven into Every Pair
Gainesville, Georgia
“My son needed new shoes for school and LAMP was there to help,” reported one mother. “We are so thankful for the heart of giving that their volunteers have to help those of us in need. We are new to Gainesville and didn’t have anyone to help us,” she said.
West Virginia
Earlier this year, Dyanne shared a heartbreaking story: a mother with four young children—all under six—and their grandmother came to BCPIA’s family pantry after their trailer burned down and they “lost everything.”
- The children, ages 4, 5, and 6, arrived with no shoes or socks, only one had a shirt, no coats, and it was 30 degrees outside.
- Staff immediately prioritized finding shoes, socks, and clothing. When they couldn’t find the right size, one staff member drove to a neighboring community to purchase a new pair.
As Dyanne explains, a fresh pair of shoes can be just what a child needs to feel confident and prepared to face the world.
The Goal Ahead: Stepping Forward Together
For the coming year, our goal is to provide $16,250 in grants to BCPIA, LAMP, the Lee County Middle/High School, the Lee County Family Resource Center in Beattyville, and the Labor of Love Mission in Tazewell, Virginia.
This will supply approximately 295 children with brand-new shoes, a gift of confidence, health, and hope.
