Meijer gives away new shoes to Detroit children

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. —  Meijer, Skechers and K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers teamed up last week to give away 2,000 new Bobs from Skechers shoes to Detroit children in need during a day at the Detroit Zoo.

 

An additional 20,500 pairs of Bobs shoes also were donated to Detroit Public Schools for distribution to its students in need throughout the school year.

 

"Meijer was built on a fundamental philosophy of supporting the communities where our customers and team members work and live," stated Lynn Hempe, group VP softlines for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer. "We've worked with Skechers for a decade, and are thrilled to bring that partnership to another level by providing children with a brand new pair of shoes that they can call their own. It was a fun day for everyone involved."

 

"Through the Bobs from Skechers shoe donations we have done in the United States and around the world, we have seen the impact a new pair of shoes can have on a child," said Jeff Jones, national sales manager at Skechers. "We were moved by Meijer's desire to reach children in Detroit, a community that has been hard hit economically, and believe that the Bobs donation event not only brought smiles to many children, but also may have given them confidence as they begin a school year with a brand new pair of shoes."

 

Since the Bobs from Skechers program launched in 2011, Skechers has donated more than 8 million pairs of new shoes to children in need in more than 30 countries worldwide.

 

Along with receiving their new shoes, the children had lunch, received school supplies and visited their favorite animal exhibits inside the Detroit Zoo. The shoe donation event also included an opportunity for them to meet the Detroit Tigers mascot "PAWS;" Detroit Lions alumni players and mascot, "Roary;" and the zoo's mascots, "Junior Z and the Zooper Heroes."

 

K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers worked with the Detroit Public Schools and Variety Detroit to identify children to receive the shoes.