On Tuesday, Aug. 26, St. Mary’s County Public Schools’ Shoe Fund purchased 150 pair of brand new shoes for needy children.

 
 PPW Stacy Murdock buys shoes
 for school children that need them.

PPW Stacy Murdock is in charge of the Shoe Fund. Each year, she and other PPW go to the Payless ShoeSource in California to purchase shoes for those less fortunatel. “We get requests from parents and teachers that notice children who need new shoes,” said Murdock. She indicated that, although funding was delayed this year, the fund provides up to 350 pairs of new shoes for children each year.

“The Shoe Fund has been around for at least 20 years,” said Murdock. This year, because of budget constraints and the local soft economy, the Shoe Fund did not receive the same support and they had to wait before being able to afford shoes. “We normally try to have the shoes purchased before school starsts,” said Murdock.

The Department of Student Services with the St. Mary’s County Public School District is looking for cash donations to support the district’s Shoe Fund.

The Shoe Fund is a longstanding program that exists through the generosity of school  staff, parents, businesses and the St. Mary’s County general  community.  The fund provides shoes to school-age children in the public schools who are in need of shoes, but who have limited financial resources. 

 Contributions are accepted from business organizations, community clubs and individuals.  Donations can be made directly to the Shoe Fund which is managed by the Department of Student Services under the direction of a pupil personnel worker The PPW facilitates the referral process, recordkeeping, finances, shopping, and delivery.     

The PPW selects, purchases, and delivers the shoes to families.  The Shoe Fund is audited by the St. Mary’s County Public Schools’ Department of Fiscal Services.  Contributions are deposited in the St. Mary’s County Shoe Fund account with the PNC Bank in Leonardtown.  Although the annual budget varies and is dependent upon the contributions received, 100  percent of contributions are spent on the purchase of shoes. 

Requests for shoes are highest in the beginning of the school year but continue to be requested and purchased throughout the remainder of the year.  Normally, shoes are delivered to the home by the PPW, who views the home visit as an opportunity to reinforce the importance of school attendance and the student’s success in school.  Providing students with shoes helps build a positive and cooperative relationship between parents and the school for greater effectiveness in supporting students’ success.

For more information or to contribute to the Shoe Fund, please contact the Department of Student Services  at (301) 475-5511, option 2.  Or mail a check made payable to The Shoe Fund directly to STMPS to the following address: St. Mary’s County Public Schools, 23160 Moakley Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650, Attn: Stacy Murdock.