First Day Shoe Fund

First Day Shoe Fund We provide new athletic shoes to elementary students at Kalamazoo County public schools at no cost.

Valerie Denghel, a volunteer tutor in Kalamazoo Public Schools, founded First Day Shoe Fund. After noticing her students wearing shoes that were worn, torn, or the wrong size, with some students missing school due to lack of footwear, she began buying new shoes for them. In 2005, with a seed grant from Bread for the Journey and working through Communities in Schools (CIS) of Kalamazoo, she bought

and distributed 160 pairs of shoes for low-income students attending KPS summer school, donating extras to two elementary schools. In 2006, she worked with OnePlace to establish FDSF as an independent 501(c)(3) organization, assembled a board of directors and forged relationships to create an effective, sustainable organization.

Happy National Smile Day!Today, we’re celebrating the power of a smile, and the joy that comes with every step forwardAt...
05/31/2026

Happy National Smile Day!

Today, we’re celebrating the power of a smile, and the joy that comes with every step forward

At First Day Shoe Fund, we believe that something as simple as a pair of shoes can light up a child’s face with hope and happiness. Every donation and volunteer option helps us put smiles where they belong - on the faces of students who now walk, run, and dream a little bigger.

Let’s keep spreading smiles, one sole at a time

As we start planning for our Fall 2026 shoe distribution, we would like to begin recognizing our generous school sponsor...
05/30/2026

As we start planning for our Fall 2026 shoe distribution, we would like to begin recognizing our generous school sponsors!
School sponsors play an important role in our work! They help by providing funds to purchase some of the shoes that we need as well as providing volunteers to help students try on their new shoes on fitting day!

Thanks to CSMGROUP for continuing to support us as a sponsor for Fall 2026

If you are interested in becoming a school sponsor and helping us support students in our community, please check out our website at www.firstdayshoefund.org/sponsor or contact our Executive Director at [email protected]

We are so very grateful that we have hundreds of volunteers who believe in the work that we do - they come to help unpac...
05/29/2026

We are so very grateful that we have hundreds of volunteers who believe in the work that we do - they come to help unpack shoes, pack up shoes and fit shoes throughout the year.

Thank you to Michele from for these kind words.

"Volunteering with FDSF is something I truly care about. My passion for supporting children in our local community drives me to help ensure every student has the basic essentials they need to thrive.

There’s something deeply rewarding about witnessing the impact firsthand - from unpacking and preparing shoes to being part of their distribution. These moments truly highlight how meaningful this work is in building confidence and removing barriers for students from all backgrounds.

Giving back through FDSF allows me to contribute to a cause that makes a real difference in Kalamazoo County. It’s also a wonderful way to support Advia’s social mission and live out the company’s core values, which makes the experience even more meaningful for me."

As we start planning for our Fall 2026 shoe distribution, we would like to begin recognizing our generous school sponsor...
05/29/2026

As we start planning for our Fall 2026 shoe distribution, we would like to begin recognizing our generous school sponsors!
School sponsors play an important role in our work! They help by providing funds to purchase some of the shoes that we need as well as providing volunteers to help students try on their new shoes on fitting day!

Thanks to for joining us as a new sponsor for Fall 2026 and sponsoring Prairie Ridge Elementary!

If you are interested in becoming a school sponsor and helping us support students in our community, please check out our website at www.firstdayshoefund.org/sponsor or contact our Executive Director at [email protected]

This month we will be saying "goodbye" to a number of our amazing board members who have reached the end of their 6-year...
05/28/2026

This month we will be saying "goodbye" to a number of our amazing board members who have reached the end of their 6-year tenure. We want to take this opportunity to say thank you to them for all they have done.

Thank you Stacy Jackson, for all you have done for us.

"My kids were 7 & 13 when this organization was founded and we did not qualify for shoes (or anything else) at that time.

I became familiar with the organization in 2011 & joined the board in 2020. I chaired the Program Committee the year we offered a drive-through distribution because of Covid 19.

I am honored to complete my service with First Day Shoe Fund this month, extremely PROUD of the work we’ve done to incorporate equity and dignity into our processes.

I led the Board and Team through a Value Aligned Strategic Planning process in 2021 that I believe, created space for the organization to be committed to our values 1st and then to the process of providing no-cost athletic shoes 👟

47 Elementary schools in our County, and each student has access to high quality athletic shoes, twice a year.

When I’m asked, “what happened while you were on the board?” I’m thankful to be able to say we did more than meet. Congratulations on all the progress and innovation!"

Thank you Woodle & Co. for supporting our work at First Day Shoe Fund! We anticipate fitting 15,000 pairs of shoes this ...
05/27/2026

Thank you Woodle & Co. for supporting our work at First Day Shoe Fund!

We anticipate fitting 15,000 pairs of shoes this year of which 90-100 pairs will be BILLY shoes for students who wear AFO/SMO braces.

We have struggled to find socks that work for these students as regular socks are just too short.

We reached out to the founder of Woodle & Co and they are going to support us with specialist socks for students who receive BILLY shoes.

Thank you for believing in our mission ❤️

As we start planning for our Fall 2026 shoe distribution, we would like to begin recognizing our generous school sponsor...
05/27/2026

As we start planning for our Fall 2026 shoe distribution, we would like to begin recognizing our generous school sponsors!

School sponsors play an important role in our work! They help by providing funds to purchase some of the shoes that we need as well as providing volunteers to help students try on their new shoes on fitting day!

We have some amazing sponsors who are supporting us for our 2026 distributions - Thanks to The Kalamazoo Promise for sponsoring King Westwood Elementary for our Fall 2026 distribution - We are very grateful for your continued support!

If you are interested in becoming a school sponsor and helping us support students in our community, please check out our website at www.firstdayshoefund.org/sponsor or contact our Executive Director at [email protected]

We ALL know that everything is more expensive these days - and shoes are no exception. We are proud to be able to suppor...
05/26/2026

We ALL know that everything is more expensive these days - and shoes are no exception.

We are proud to be able to support thousands of students with new shoes every year.

This month we will be saying "goodbye" to a number of our amazing board members who have reached the end of their 6-year...
05/24/2026

This month we will be saying "goodbye" to a number of our amazing board members who have reached the end of their 6-year tenure. We want to take this opportunity to say thank you to them for all they have done.

Thank you Jason Heystek, for all you have done for us.

"I joined the board of First Day Shoe Fund in 2020 and was an active member for almost 6 years, most recently as a member of our Finance committee. I joined FDSF through connections with two board members I worked with after serving on the board of Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes for 6 years.

For my wife and I, Kalamazoo County is special. We were both raised here and chose to live and work in this area. Our children are Kalamazoo Public School students and went to the same schools that we serve. I am passionate about serving our community in whatever way my experience and background allow, and I’ve enjoyed working alongside the staff, board members, and volunteers that make it all happen!

The biggest achievement during my tenure at First Day Shoe Fund has been the organization’s growth in service frequency and breadth. Full fall and spring distribution is now a reality, and I’m so proud of Maggie and her staff for continuing to serve this growing need for our students! I hope my time at FDSF has in some way contributed to the growth and trajectory of this wonderful organization, and I look back fondly on my board service here!"

As we start planning for our Fall 2026 shoe distribution, we would like to begin recognizing our generous school sponsor...
05/21/2026

As we start planning for our Fall 2026 shoe distribution, we would like to begin recognizing our generous school sponsors!

School sponsors play an important role in our work! They help by providing funds to purchase some of the shoes that we need as well as providing volunteers to help students try on their new shoes on fitting day!

We have some amazing sponsors who are supporting us for our 2026 distributions - Thanks to .sportscenter for sponsoring Schoolcraft Elementary for our Fall 2026 distribution - We are very grateful for your continued support!

If you are interested in becoming a school sponsor and helping us support students in our community, please check out our website at www.firstdayshoefund.org/sponsor or contact our Executive Director at [email protected]

Address

5416 Meredith Street
Portage, MI
49002

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+12692715527

Website

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