Verified 501(c)3 nonprofit

Shoes That Fit - Delaware Chapter

Our mission at Shoes That Fit is to tackle one of the most visible signs of poverty in America by giving children in need new athletic shoes to attend school with dignity and joy, prepared to learn, play, and thrive. A new pair of shoes can be a life-changing event for a child. School attendance, self-esteem, and behavior improve. Physical activity increases. Smiles return. All from an often-overlooked item—a good pair of shoes. Our vision is that, one day, every child in America who needs new shoes gets new shoes, allowing all children the opportunity to reach their highest potential.

$1,110 raised from 12 donors

$12,000 goal

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Thanks to all the generous donors who made 2024 an overwhelming success- we helped 2750 homeless students throughout Delaware to attend school with dignity and pride, ready to grow, play and learn!   

We have BIG goals for 2025 with the opening of Delaware's first Student Shoe Bank in collaboration with Friendship House, allowing us to make our shoe resources more accessible with quicker delivery!!   Your donations will support purchase of the necessary shoe inventory for Friendship House, whose staff will work directly with schools to fulfill and deliver orders.   

If you have any questions or need further information about Shoes That Fit, please email Joanne Glauser at jhglaus@gmail.com

About Shoes That Fit - Delaware Chapter

Mission: Our mission at Shoes That Fit is to tackle one of the most visible signs of poverty in America by giving children in need new athletic shoes to attend school with dignity and joy, prepared to learn, play, and thrive. A new pair of shoes can be a life-changing event for a child. School attendance, self-esteem, and behavior improve. Physical activity increases. Smiles return. All from an often-overlooked item—a good pair of shoes. Our vision is that, one day, every child in America who needs new shoes gets new shoes, allowing all children the opportunity to reach their highest potential.

Shoes That Fit fills a unique niche in the state of Delaware. No other organization in the state provides new, brand name sneakers for free, delivered directly to the child’s school. Through collaboration with school staff (homeless advocates, family crisis therapists, school nurses) Shoes That Fit ensures that the children most in need receive shoes and they are distributed discreetly.
 
For the 27 years our Chapter has been in existence, the impact to the children receiving new sneakers has included improvement in the student’s school attendance, self-esteem, physical activity and behavior. To date, 25,000 students in Delaware have benefited from Shoes That Fit’s donations.
 
Delaware statistics clearly indicate a need for student support:
● 147 Title I schools
● 22.6% of children under 18 living in poverty
● 100,000 of our children receiving public assistance
● Delaware ranks 23rd of US states with regard to homeless students, who are 1.9% of all public school students.
 
Providing these at- risk children with basic resources is critical to their success in school and life.
 
Children living in poverty face many hurdles—hurdles that slow them down in every way: academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. Childhood poverty creates lifelong challenges due to behavioral problems, low self esteem, decreased educational readiness, increased risk of school drop out, and chronic stress. Research shows that poverty shapes a child’s entire future because it adversely affects their ability to concentrate, remember, and learn. These hurdles are placed in front of children who have absolutely no control over their personal circumstances.
Students Excited About Their Shoes From Shoes That Fit


County Served: Kent; New Castle; Sussex

Office Location(s): Newark

Sector: Family Services; Human Services; Kids; Poverty & Hunger

Recent donors

  • Matching gift from Shoes That Fit Anonymous Local Business Match
    $50
  • Anonymous
  • Matching gift from Shoes That Fit Anonymous Local Business Match
    $35
  • Marlene Johnson
    $35
  • Matching gift from Shoes That Fit Anonymous Local Business Match
    $100
  • Robert Hicks
    $100
  • Matching gift from CSC Employee Match
    $10
  • Matching gift from Shoes That Fit Anonymous Local Business Match
    $10
  • Harper Gould
  • Matching gift from Shoes That Fit Anonymous Local Business Match
    $100