The Friends of Fusion Foundation visited Cheryl Bryant, Director of Development at Friendship House Delaware, and learned about the numerous services they provide throughout in Wilmington and throughout the State: Empowerment Centers; Life Skills and Job Training; Supportive Services; Financial Assistance; and a Clothing Bank; in addition to the specific reason for the visit: a brand-new shoe bank!
Earlier this year, working in conjunction with the Shoes That Fit Delaware Chapter and the national Shoes That Fit foundations, we funded the establishment of the state of Delaware’s first Shoe Bank, at Friendship House. As part of the pilot program in the Spring, Friendship House distributed 548 pairs of brand-new name-brand sneakers and the national Shoes That Fit distributed 412 pairs. This is in addition to the almost 2,000 pairs distributed last December.
The Foundation recently helped fund shoe banks in Kent and Sussex Counties, as well.
With the establishment of these shoe banks, the goal is to broaden the recipient population from students registered as homeless, per the guidelines set forth in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, to include low-income and other groups.
Please watch this space at the end of this month, when Nic and Jeff plan to revisit Friendship House and help with the fulfillment of the Fall 2025 sneaker distribution and be part of, as Cheryl puts it, “the power of community”.
