Wichita Foundation Gives 2,500 Kids New Shoes This Year

One little boy at Anderson Elementary in Wichita finally has his own pair of shoes. Before this week, he and his brother took turns wearing their family's only pair of tennis shoes that fit.

The Genesis Foundation for Fitness and Tennis is changing that reality for thousands of kids. Their Kicks for Kids program visited Anderson Elementary on Tuesday, delivering 340 pairs of brand new shoes and socks to every single student.

The foundation measured each child's feet weeks earlier to ensure a perfect fit. On delivery day, every student walked away with shoes designed just for their growing feet.

DeAnn White, Executive Director of the Genesis Foundation, says these shoes are going to the students who need them most. Her team selected five Wichita schools where many families struggle to afford new footwear for growing children.

The impact goes beyond Anderson Elementary. This year alone, the program has distributed 2,500 pairs of shoes across all five schools.

The Ripple Effect

When a child doesn't have proper shoes, it affects everything. They miss gym class, sit out recess, or feel embarrassed around classmates. Some kids develop foot problems from wearing shoes that don't fit or are falling apart.

Now 340 Anderson Elementary students can run, play, and focus on learning instead of worrying about their feet. They won't have to choose which sibling gets to wear shoes on which day.

The foundation continues accepting donations and volunteers to expand the program. More schools mean more kids getting the basic footwear every child deserves.

Every student at Anderson Elementary now owns a pair of shoes that belongs only to them.