Urban League Gets Ready for 23rd Year of Shoes for School Event

 As students in East Tennessee get ready to go back to school, the Knoxville Area Urban League (Knoxville, TN) is getting ready to host their 23rd annual "Shoes for School" event. 

Shoes for School helps make sure that students have what they need ahead of the new school year, offering items like shoes, backpacks and other school supplies. Thanks to local partnerships, the Urban League is able to offer students even more this year.

KAUL has teamed up with Second Harvest Food Bank to provide food for kids. They've also formed partnerships with local barbers to provide haircuts for students, and for the first time, they'll offer dental check-ups this year as well. 

Director of Education and Youth Services at KAUL Carly Hammonds said the event not only gets kids ready for school, it makes them feel good ahead of the new year.

"We see that even in the second semester, children are in need of supplies. So, if we can frontload them with those items in advance it takes a lot off of the parents, and it also allows for students to feel as if there's no difference between them and their peer". Hammonds said. 

KAUL says they've had to look for more space to house all of the attendees as the event continues to grow every year. Last year, over 6,000 people showed up for "Shoes for School", which has lead to the group moving it to Covenant Health Park. 

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