UWNEMN's Step Into School program takes qualified Koochiching County students shopping to pick out a new pair of properly fitted athletic shoes for the school year.
Prior to shopping, families and students gather for a community meal where they connect with their local emergency personnel and may even enjoy a ride to the shoe store in a fire truck!
The program is operated with the support of Backus Community Center, Ronnings, and International Falls and Koochiching County emergency personnel.
Join the community for a back-to-school celebration and go home with new, properly fit athletic shoes of your student's choosing!
Who: K-12 students who are enrolled in a Koochiching County school and are under the 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines/receiving SNAP, MFIP, reduced or free school lunches can benefit from this program.
What: Participating families gather for dinner at Backus Community Center. After dinner, students are offered a ride in a fire truck to Ronnings where they select their new school shoes.
When: This is a one-day-only event that took place August 7, 2024.
Apply: Applications have closed for the 2024-2025 school year. Applications for the 2025-2026 school year will open in summer of 2025.
Questions: Please contact UWNEMN Community Impact Director Crystal Royer at crystal@unitedwaynemn.org or call 218-215-2420.
2025 Step Into School volunteer opportunities will be posted soon!
If you're interested in helping us purchase shoes and other materials for this year's Step Into School program, please contact elizabeth@unitedwaynemn.org or 218-295-2424.