Knoxville, Tenn. (WATE) – About 6,000 people attended the Knoxville Area Urban League’s ‘Shoes for Schools’ event on Saturday, August 6.

For the event’s 20th anniversary, community partners and the Knoxville Area Urban League worked together and doubled the number of children who received shoes from last year.

Nearly 1,700 pairs of shoes were provided to students and it is estimated that more than 3,000 picked up school supplies, according to the Knoxville Area Urban League.

“A new pair of school shoes and supplies are getting kids excited and inspired to be more confident and successful in the classroom,” said Phyllis Young Nichols, president and CEO of the Knoxville Area Urban League. “The Knoxville Area Urban League is proud to put smiles on the faces of deserving students for 20+ years.”

Each year, families and volunteers look forward to participating in the community event. Children from families in need were able to pre-register to receive shoes through nonprofits, and school supplies were made available to children who attended.

  • Laniah, Jayah and Brayden Pankey (Moxley Carmichael)
  • Emmanuel and Emily Miguel (Moxley Carmichael)

During the event, New Directions Health Care Solutions nurses are also administering free COVID-19 vaccines. Community Health Navigators from the Knoxville Area Urban League also offered educational information to attendees. The Knox County Health Department had representatives on hand to verify which vaccines children needed to start school, as well as information on where and when they could get them.

Attendees also enjoyed food, games, inflatables and free items set up by the booth’s 44 sponsors, who represented businesses, civic and nonprofit organizations, churches and others.

The back-to-school party was presented by sponsors Covenant Health, Pilot Company and TVA. Children’s Hospital of East Tennessee and Boston Government Services also supported the event. Booth sponsors included the Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, which distributed food and fresh produce to families to prepare for the busy school year ahead.

The Knoxville Area Urban League has worked to help disadvantaged people achieve social and economic stability and self-sufficiency through direct service as well as advocacy. The Knoxville Area Urban League is a United Way partner agency and an affiliate of the National Urban League. The work of the leagues reaches more than 11,000 people each year. More information is available from the Knoxville Area Urban League on their website or by calling (865) 524-5511.