Greenwich Department of Human Services Fund Launches Annual 'Boots & Shoes' Program

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Department of Human Services Fund is launching its annual Boots & Shoes Program, which provides DSW gift cards to eligible Greenwich children ages 5 to 15 so they can begin the school year with properly fitting footwear.

With the first day of school approaching, many Greenwich families are preparing children for the new school year with supplies, clothing and shoes. For families facing financial hardship, those expenses can create difficult financial decisions.

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Last year, the program provided gift cards to 185 local children. The fund hopes to help even more children this year with continued community support.

"A new pair of shoes may seem like a small thing, but for a child, it can make a world of difference," said Blaise Punturo, President of the GDHS Fund, in a news release. "When children begin the school year with shoes that fit properly, they walk into the classroom with a sense of belonging and readiness to learn. Our donors make that possible — and every year, their generosity helps more Greenwich children start school on equal footing with their peers."

The Boots & Shoes Program is funded entirely through charitable donations to the GDHS Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity. Each eligible child receives a $50 DSW gift card to purchase shoes before the school year begins.

Donations can be made online, by purchasing DSW gift cards through the program's Amazon Wish List, or by mailing a check payable to the GDHS Fund:

Attn: Boots & Shoes
Department of Human Services
101 Field Point Road
Greenwich, CT 06830

A $50 donation provides a new pair of shoes for one child.

Gift cards will be distributed to eligible families in August so children can shop for new shoes before the first day of school. Families seeking eligibility information can visit the fund's website or contact the Department of Human Services.

The GDHS Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity that supports programs and services for income-eligible Greenwich residents through community partnerships and charitable contributions, including the Boots & Shoes Program, Campership Program, Holiday Aid and other human services initiatives.