News Summary
The Knoxville Area Urban League is set to host its 23rd annual ‘Shoes for School’ event on August 2nd, providing essential school supplies, shoes, and food for local students. This initiative will support approximately 1,200 children and also includes complimentary haircuts and dental check-ups. With a successful history and over 6,000 attendees last year, the event aims to meet the needs of families ahead of the new school year while encouraging community involvement and sponsorship.
Knoxville – The Knoxville Area Urban League (KAUL) is gearing up for its 23rd annual “Shoes for School” event, scheduled for August 2nd from 9 a.m. to noon. This initiative aims to support local students by providing essential items such as new shoes, backpacks, and school supplies ahead of the upcoming school year. Approximately 1,200 students are registered to receive new shoes during the event, which has a long-standing history of supporting youth even in challenging weather conditions.
In addition to shoes, the event will also feature several supplementary services for families. KAUL has partnered with the Second Harvest Food Bank to ensure that children in attendance will receive food, addressing both clothing and nutrition needs. Furthermore, local barbers will offer complimentary haircuts, and, for the first time, students will have the opportunity to receive dental check-ups. These additions reflect KAUL’s commitment to providing holistic support to children and their families.
The choice of venue has changed over the years to accommodate an increasing number of participants. Last year’s event saw over 6,000 attendees, necessitating a larger space for this year’s gathering at Smokies Stadium, also known as Covenant Health Park. This year, while shoe registration has closed, school supplies and food will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, allowing families who arrive to access necessary resources.
Parents are reminded that Knox County Schools will begin on August 7th, with some districts starting earlier. The timing of the “Shoes for School” event is intended to support families in their preparations for this academic milestone. Additionally, families can benefit from Tennessee’s annual tax-free weekend, which occurs from July 25-27, enabling savings on clothing, school supplies, and computers, provided they meet certain criteria.
The persistence of KAUL’s “Shoes for School” event over the last 23 years highlights the ongoing need for community support in equipping local children for academic success. The organization encourages further community involvement and sponsorship to continue the success and growth of this vital event. With the backing of local businesses and volunteers, KAUL strives to extend its reach and enhance its offerings each year, ensuring that more students have the resources they need to start the school year prepared and confident.
For those looking to participate or support the initiative, KAUL remains open to contributions that can help enrich the experience for local students. With the new school year approaching, community efforts such as this are crucial in fostering a supportive environment for education and development amongst youth in Knoxville.
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Additional Resources
- WBIR: Knoxville Kids Step into School Year with New Shoes
- Google Search: Knoxville Kids Shoes for School
- Knox TN Today: Shoes for School Registration Ends
- Wikipedia: Community Engagement
- Knox News: Tennessee’s Tax-Free Weekend for Back to School
- Google Scholar: Education Initiatives in Communities
- WBIR: Knoxville Area Urban League Gets Ready for Shoes for School Event
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Supply Initiatives
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
