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Knoxville Area Urban League creates ‘takeout’ Shoes for School
By Maria McHale

More than 1,500 children will receive new shoes and school supplies


The Knoxville Area Urban League’s 18th annual Shoes for School has been remodeled into a “takeout” event, and the traditional festival in Caswell Park has been canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns.

The Knoxville Area Urban League will arrange for delivery or pickup of more than 1,500 pairs of new tennis shoes and thousands of school supplies in coordination with nonprofit partner agencies. The Knoxville Area Urban League will deliver boxes of shoes to participating agencies with storage space; others will have the opportunity to get their shoes “to go” at a designated location set up for social distancing.

Support from the Tennessee Valley Authority, Covenant Health and community sponsors allowed the Knoxville Area Urban League to be able to continue the vital “Shoes for School” program in 2020.

“As economic first responders for our community, we could not let a pandemic stop us from giving schoolchildren the help they need,” Knoxville Area Urban League President and CEO Phyllis Y. Nichols said. “Our organization will coordinate pickup or delivery to ensure kids get their shoes and school supplies before school opens. We are especially grateful to our sponsors for stepping up at a tremendous time of need, and we look forward to being back at Caswell Park in 2021.”

Shoes are pre-ordered by participating agencies who sign up families in need. Each year, thousands of kids ages 5-12 also attend the event to gather needed school supplies. The new event format will ensure the kids and their families receive both shoes and supplies in a safe manner.

Nichols encourages companies, organizations and individuals who have supported Shoes for School previously as booth sponsors to make donations to the Knoxville Area Urban League.

“COVID-19 has changed everything for everybody, but there are some things we can control,” Nichols said. “We are seeing an increased need for support, especially among families, and with the help of our generous sponsors and our community, we can provide these basic tools for education.”

About the Knoxville Area Urban League
Since 1968, the Knoxville Area Urban League has assisted disadvantaged people attain social and economic stability and self-sufficiency through direct services and advocacy. The League works to provide a skilled and diverse workforce; to increase homeownership; to support economic and small business development, and to enhance education efforts for our youth. The Knoxville Area Urban League is a United Way partner agency and affiliate of the National Urban League. The League’s work and results are evident in the lives of the over 8,000 people it impacts each year. For more information, call 865-524-5511 or visit www.thekaul.org.

Published August 12, 2020










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