5-06-2026 10:05am

Students Get $50K

Mission Moment: Spring 2026 Soles4Souls distribution

On April 28, The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc., once again partnered with Soles4Souls to provide brand-new, brand-name shoes and brand-new Bomba socks to BCPS students who are experiencing homelessness.

Staff members from selected schools were invited to visit the BCPS Office of Logistics Warehouse between 10 a.m. and noon to select new shoes and socks for their students. As a bonus, they were also invited to adopt cases of yellow and orange Play-Doh donated by First Book and black and/or white sunglasses donated by Media Star Promotions to fill their schools’ care closets. More than $50,000 worth of shoes, Play-Doh, and accessories were adopted by BCPS staff to support their school communities in less than two hours.

“We are so grateful for the partnership we have with Soles4Souls,” said Dr. Heather Wooldridge, the foundation’s associate director.

“We know that providing shoes and socks to our neediest scholars builds their confidence, helps them focus on their academics, and allows them the freedom to play safely outside and in gym class – a freedom every child should enjoy.” –Dr. Heather Wooldridge, the foundation’s associate director

“One of my recipients was SO excited about his new shoes yesterday,” said Emily Zalucki, community school facilitator at Arbutus Elementary School. “He carried them home and kept saying ‘I LOVE these shoes! And the socks are SO comfy!’ He melted my heart. Thanks for helping him get some new shoes!”

About Soles4Souls

Soles4Souls turns shoes and clothing into educational and economic opportunities. Their programs, 4Opportunity, 4Relief, 4EveryKid and 4ThePlanet, aim to make a positive difference on the planet and in people's economic, educational, physical, and psychosocial well-being. Since 2006, more than 94 million pairs of shoes and pieces of clothing have helped create opportunities for people across 137 countries. Soles4Souls is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, with regional donation centers and warehouse locations around the world.

The Impact

Schools and partners report that:

More than 90% of students increased school attendance and engagement.
Over time, 2 in 3 students improved their grades.
98% of students say they feel more confident after receiving their shoes.
4 in 5 students felt more equal to their peers.
3 in 4 students increased their participation in sports and other extracurricular activities.