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 in households under the ALICE® (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) guidelines can benefit from this program.
What: Participating families gather for dinner at Backus Community Center. After dinner, students are offered a ride in an emergency vehicle to Ronnings where they select their new, properly fit athletic shoes for the coming school year.
When: This is a one-day-only event taking place August 13, 2025. Families can request a 4:45 p.m. dinner or 5:45 p.m. dinner; UWNEMN will do its best to accommodate. Children must be present to receive shoes.
Apply: Applications are open now! Applications will be due July 21, 2025, and families will be notified by August 1, 2025 to find out if they've qualified.
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'd like to get on the volunteer list early, please contact emily@unitedwaynemn.org or 218-215-2425.
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.