WORCESTER—In an effort to help local children, the Hanover Insurance Group recently teamed up with the national nonprofit Shoes That Fit to provide 1,000 new pairs of athletic shoes to Worcester students in need.
Thanks to a $30,000 grant from The Hanover, students and their families gathered at the Worcester Boys and Girls Club of Central Massachusetts, where they had the opportunity to select brand-name shoes like Nike, Adidas, Puma, and FILA to kick off the school year.
The event was about more than just shoes—it was a community celebration. Families enjoyed a fun-filled evening with dinner, music from a DJ, a photo booth, and appearances by local sports mascots. Hanover employees also volunteered at the event, distributing the shoes to excited students.
“Youth and education are at the heart of our foundation, so we are very excited to partner with Shoes That Fit and provide this $30,000 grant,” said Kimberly M. Salmon, assistant vice president of community relations at The Hanover, in a statement. “We take great pride in the work we do within our local communities to help young people realize their full potential and are honored to be able to give back through this incredible organization.”
Shoes That Fit, which addresses one of the most visible signs of poverty by giving children in need new shoes, aims to boost kids’ confidence and school performance.
“One in three children in the United States lives in a low-income family, and shoes are one of the most expensive items for families to provide,” said Amy Fass, executive director of Shoes That Fit, in a press release. “When families have to choose between putting food on the table or buying new shoes for school, food wins every time. The simple gift of a pair of shoes can increase a child’s confidence, attendance, and performance at school, and we are so thankful that The Hanover is taking the time to make such a positive impact on these kids.”
The partnership marks a continued effort by The Hanover to give back to its community, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to start the school year with dignity and a new pair of shoes.
Send news releases to Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
