More than 900 PSUSD students and their families attend ‘Shoes for Students’ resource fair event

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - More than 900 Palm Springs Unified students and their families received a helping hand Wednesday night at the annual "Shoes for Students" event.

The Foundation for PSUSD partnered with student services to provide new Vans shoes for students while connecting families with valuable community resources, including health services, free books, educational programs, and fresh food assistance.

Organizers said the event has grown from a simple shoe giveaway to a one-stop resource fair designed to help students and families succeed both in and out of the classroom.

“We’ve been so impressed by how the community has stepped up for our young scholars,” said Eliza Stern, Board Director with The Foundation for PSUSD and co-chair of Shoes for Students. “Denise Petty and I developed this concept with Student Services. What started as a way to help students feel confident and focus on academics, rather than on tattered, ill-fitting shoes, has blossomed into an event that shows how much we can support the entire family throughout the year. As a former teacher, I know academic success starts in the classroom, but students can easily be distracted by so many outside forces. A big part of achievement is health, safety, security and community — and being able to open students’ eyes for ways they can make their world better.” 

Denise Petty, co-chair of Shoes for Students and Foundation Board Director, noted that 92% of their students are living at or below the poverty line.

"To move the needle for this next generation and change that statistic, we need everyone to step up,” Petty said.

Shoes for Students donors include The Coeta and Donald Barker Foundation, Bighorn Cares, the Vista Las Palmas Neighborhood Organization and Bloom in the Desert Ministries

Click here for more on the Foundation for PSUSD