Shoes That Fit gets record $776,000 donation from Stater Bros. Charities

Shoes That Fit received its largest single donation in more than 30 years, with Stater Bros. Charities raising over $776,000 through a 12-day in-store campaign across Stater Bros. Markets. The money will help provide new athletic sneakers to hundreds of Southern California students this fall.

Why it matters: - The donation will help Shoes That Fit give new athletic sneakers to hundreds of Southern California students this fall. - New shoes can affect a child’s confidence, attendance and school performance, making the gift more than a basic clothing need. - The fundraising total is the largest single donation in Shoes That Fit’s 30-plus-year history.

What happened: - Shoes That Fit said it received more than $776,000 from Stater Bros. Charities. - Stater Bros. Charities raised the money during a 12-day in-store campaign at all Stater Bros. Markets locations. - A check presentation took place June 4 at the Redlands/Lugonia store, which was the top-fundraising location. - Shoes That Fit and Stater Bros. Charities have partnered since 2019.

The details: - Shoes That Fit is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Claremont, California. - The organization provides children in need with new athletic shoes so they can attend school with dignity and focus on learning, play and growth. - Shoes That Fit said it delivered new athletic shoes to more than 218,000 children across 50 states last year. - Stater Bros. Charities is the philanthropic arm of Stater Bros. Markets and a community-funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit. - Since 2008, Stater Bros. Charities has invested over $54 million in local organizations and causes. - Stater Bros. Markets operates nearly 170 stores and employs 18,000 people across Southern California. - Shoes That Fit shared a website for more information: the nonprofit’s website.

Between the lines: - The size of the donation shows that local in-store fundraising can drive outsized results when shoppers and employees rally around a clear cause. - The partnership also highlights how grocery-store charity programs can convert everyday customer traffic into major community giving. - Stater Bros. Charities framed the campaign as a response to the visible impact Shoes That Fit has on children’s well-being and school success.

What’s next: - Shoes That Fit will use the funds to distribute athletic sneakers to students in Southern California this fall. - The organizations are likely to continue their long-running partnership after reaching this milestone. - Stater Bros. Charities will keep funding community causes tied to hunger relief, education, health, veterans, active service members, first responders and pet well-being.

The bottom line: - A 12-day grocery-store campaign turned into a record-setting gift that will put new shoes on hundreds of children and deepen a partnership that started in 2019.