If the shoe fits, donate it

By Lethbridge Herald on June 27, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

Shoes For Kids YQL has announced its fifth annual shoe drive and is asking members of the community for their support in helping children receive a brand-new pair of shoes for the start of the new school year. 

Mallory Kristjanson, president of Shoes for Kids YQL, says this year is special, as the community has shown tits support for something that started with just three women  recognizing a massive gap in the community. They saw kids from kindergarten to Grade 12 without the necessity of shoes, which broke their hearts. 

“Kids would not attend school as a result of not being able to walk to school not having a brand-new pair of shoes, so something that we take for granted every single day is something that these kids only dream to have,” says Kristjanson. 

Within the last five years, Shoes For Kids has been able to help thousands of children throughout all of Southwest Alberta from Crowsnest Pass to Bow Island. 

“We have already helped over 1,000 students this year alone, and we are expecting that number to increase dramatically again next year,” said Kirstjanson. 

From September to October last year (current school year), they helped more than 600 students, which was triple the number of students they’d helped in any other year. 

“A lot of our schools now know that we run all year round,” says Kirstjanson. “The referral process is very simple. You go to your family school liaison counsellor for support. We want to protect the confidentiality of any and all students who are in need, and their parents.”

She also announced that the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division has joined Shoes for Kids YQL as the first school division to collect funds for the initiative. 

Lethbridge Police Service Deputy Chief Gerald Grobmeier says LPS has supported Shoes for Kids YQL since the beginning and they are pleased to once again partner to collect shoes at the station. 

“Starting today (June 26) members of the public wishing to donate shoes before the official shoe drive in August, can do so by visiting our front counter during regular business hours,” says Grobmeier. 

He added that they welcome and appreciate the early contributions, as the Youth Engagement Officers witness daily the challenges youth in the community face, and they also see the impact of a simple act of kindness like receiving a new pair of shoes can have on them. 

“It’s more than just footwear, it’s about confidence, self-esteem, and giving students the opportunity to step into the new school year feeling empowered and included,” said Grobmeier. 

Inspector Brian Harmatiuk with the Blood Tribe Police says they’ve been involved with the initiative for a number of years and they serve a more disadvantaged community. 

“We all know that during the summer kids run around and their shoes get wrecked and the jump in mud puddles and have growing spurs and as a result of that they need new shoes,” says Harmatiuk. 

For kids whose parents can’t afford a new pair of shoes for the new school year, the Blood Tribe Police like to support their community by also collecting shoes at their police station. 

Members of the Taber Police Service, RCMP, LPS Community Peace Officers and The Watch are also supporting the initiative. 

Kristjanson says those wishing to make a monetary donation, Shoes For Kids has an RBC account set up for it under Shoes For Kids YQL either online or at any branch in southwest Alberta. 

“We are officially a non-for-profit organization after five beautiful years, which means any donation above $20 will receive a tax receipt,” says Kristjanson. 

Freddy’s Paint is another drop off location anytime Monday through Saturday.