UWNEMN's Step Into School program takes qualified Koochiching County students shopping to pick out a new pair of properly fitted athletic shoes for the school year.
Prior to shopping, families and students gather for a community meal where they connect with their local emergency personnel and may even enjoy a ride to the shoe store in a fire truck!
The program is operated with the support of Backus Community Center, Ronnings, and International Falls and Koochiching County emergency personnel.
Join the community for a back-to-school celebration and go home with new, properly fit athletic shoes of your student's choosing!
Who: K-12 students who are enrolled in a Koochiching County school and are under the 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines/receiving SNAP, MFIP, reduced or free school lunches can benefit from this program.
What: Participating families gather for dinner at Backus Community Center. After dinner, students are offered a ride in a fire truck to Ronnings where they select their new school shoes.
When: This is a one-day-only event that took place August 7, 2024.
Apply: Applications have closed for the 2024-2025 school year. Applications for the 2025-2026 school year will open in summer of 2025.
Questions: Please contact UWNEMN Community Impact Director Crystal Royer at crystal@unitedwaynemn.org or call 218-215-2420.
If you're interested in sponsoring this year's Step Into School event, please contact elizabeth@unitedwaynemn.org or 218-295-2424.