In The Image

09/01/2026

👟💚 Still feeling this one.

There are some moments that are hard to put into words.

The energy.
The smiles.
The excitement.
The volunteers showing up.
The kids finding their pair of shoes.

After 30 years of SHOES, we thought we knew what to expect.

But SHOES 2026? You were something special.

🎥 Take a look at SHOES 2026—and experience a little bit of the magic for yourself.

Thank you, West Michigan, for making 30 years of SHOES one to remember. 👟✨

08/31/2026

Please join us in welcoming Matthew to the In The Image team! 👋

Matthew joined us as our new Volunteer and Job Preparedness Coordinator at the beginning of August and hit the ground running — jumping straight into our S.H.O.E.S. Program to help coordinate volunteers for one of our biggest events of the year.

We're so grateful for his energy and heart for our mission, and we can't wait to see the impact he'll have connecting volunteers with meaningful opportunities to serve our community.

Welcome to the team, Matthew! 💛

08/24/2026

30 years. 100,000+ pairs of shoes. Countless kids walking into the first day of school with their heads held a little higher. 👟

This year's S.H.O.E.S. program gave out 4,006 pairs of shoes and backpacks to Kent County students — and FOX 17 was there to capture it. Thank you to every donor, volunteer, and partner who has made three decades of this possible.

📺 Watch the story: https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grand-rapids/program-reaches-30-years-of-providing-free-shoes-to-kent-county-students

In The Image's S.H.O.E.S. program marks 30 years helping Kent County kids head back to school with free footwear and supplies.

08/13/2026

Day One of the SHOES Program was incredible! 👟💚

Yesterday, we provided 2,135 students with new shoes, and we’re so grateful for every volunteer, partner, donor, and supporter who helped make it possible.

And we’re not done yet! We’re back at it today, ready to serve even more students and make a difference—one pair of shoes at a time. 👟✨

08/07/2026

This week, we had the incredible privilege of hosting volunteers from Amway's Week of Caring here at In The Image! Over two days, this crew rolled up their sleeves and poured their time, energy, and hearts into serving our community — and we are so grateful.

From sorting and organizing to prepping for our upcoming SHOES Program, this team showed up ready to make a real difference for the families and kids we serve. Moments like these remind us that we don't do this work alone — we do it alongside partners who believe, like we do, that every person deserves dignity and support.

Amway, thank you for choosing to spend your Week of Caring with us. Your generosity is already making an impact that will ripple out to thousands of families in our community. 🙌

08/05/2026

🚨 7 days until SHOES 2026 🚨

In one week, nearly 4,000 Kent County kids will walk into DeVos Place and walk out with a brand-new pair of shoes, a backpack, and a little more confidence for the first day of school.

This is our 30th year making it happen and we still need YOU to help us pull it off:

👟 Volunteers — We need hands on deck August 12–13. A few hours of your time = a lifetime of confidence for a kid on their first day.

💵 Financial support — Every pair of shoes, every fitting costs real dollars. Help us close the gap before Tuesday.

🤝 Nonprofit partners — Want your organization in front of thousands of families in two days? We still have space for community partners at the event.

👦👧 Families — Know a Kent County K–5 student who hasn't registered? Appointments are still open, but filling fast!

30 years. 4,000 kids. One week to go. Let's finish strong together. Comment or message us to get involved, or hit the link below. 👇

intheimage.org

08/03/2026

Here's what we heard last year:

"THANK YOU! This was a fabulous event and was such a gift not only to our daughter who is obsessed with her new shoes but also a gift to us. The start of the school year is expensive and the new shoes helped our budget."

Does this resonate? We can help. Registration is open!

Visit intheimage.org/shoes and answer a few questions including selecting your preferred fitting time on August 12 or 13 at DeVos Place.

We can't wait to see you and find the perfect fit for the elementary students in your life. 🔗 intheimage.org/shoes

07/31/2026

It's been a busy few weeks around here! 🧡 We've had AMAZING groups helping us serve our neighbors each day and get ready for our SHOES Program.

A huge thank you to Seymour Church SERVE Week, Ada Bible Church, Gordon Food Service, Trinity Lutheran Church, and WorkSolved for lending your time, energy, and hearts to this work. Volunteers like you make it possible for us to keep serving our community with dignity and care.

We couldn't do this without you, thank you for showing up for our neighbors! 👟

07/27/2026

After her little girl picked out her shoes, a mom shared this with us:

"When the volunteers were trying shoes on her, she felt like Cinderella."

That moment: a volunteer kneeling down, carefully trying each pair, giving a child her full attention. That is what 600 volunteers make possible every August.

If you have elementary-aged children in Kent County, this event was made for your family. Register now and join us August 12 and 13 at DeVos Place.
🔗 intheimage.org/shoes

07/23/2026

Thank you to FOX 17 Morning Mix for having us on today to talk about our SHOES program! 💚 We loved the chance to share how this program helps thousands of Kent County students start the school year with new shoes, backpacks, and confidence.

If you missed the segment, we'd love for you to check it out and if you're looking for a way to get involved, our 30th annual SHOES event is happening August 12-13 at DeVos Place!

Thanks again, Fox 17, for helping us spread the word! 🙌

One of In The Image's initiatives in providing basic needs in the community is its SHOES program, or Shoes Help Our Elementary Students.