Clothing Our Kids delivers sneakers to students in need

When a tractor-trailer filled with 1,000 pairs of sneakers pulled into the Clothing Our Kids parking lot Nov. 13, it was delivering more than shoes. It was also delivering self-esteem to students in need across Sussex County.

Now, two months later, COK has delivered 600 pairs of those sneakers to students from pre-K to high school.

This is the first full school year COK is serving all 10 Sussex County high schools.

“We’ve been doing a lot of shopping,” said Bob Blouin, COK president.

COK volunteers shop for brand-new clothing, organize it at their Millsboro warehouse and deliver it to local schools.

COK got the sneaker donation thanks to a grant from Shoes That Fit, a nonprofit based in California.

“We can’t serve our kids without Shoes That Fit,” Blouin said. “We can’t get those shoes to the kids without the help of teachers, nurses and counselors who identify the kids in need. Everybody works together.”

Blouin said some of the remaining shoes will be given out before the end of the school year. He said the rest stay on the shelves until next year. 

“Kids outgrow shoes,” he said.

He said they have applied for another grant from Shoes That Fit.

COK recently received $10,000 from the Schell Family Foundation and another $10,000 from a private donor. Schell employees also donated brand-new winter coats.

“It costs about $400 to clothe one child,” Blouin said. “We are blessed with community support.”

Blouin said COK also buys school spirit shirts so kids don’t feel left out on special days.

“We want kids to feel like they’re part of the group, have that camaraderie,” Blouin said. “Most of all, we don’t want teachers to have to buy shirts for them.”

For more information, go to clothingourkids.org.