Local school district will be one of many served in Tennessee and Kentucky

CLAY COUNTY-The local school district will be among several across Tennessee and Kentucky to be served by a new partnership between Soles4Souls, a global nonprofit committed to turning shoes and clothing into opportunity, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

Through this partnership, TVA will donate $25,000 to Soles4Souls in order to serve 1,250 children throughout the region through a shoe distribution pilot program in TVA’s rural districts.

Besides Clay County, the effort plans to serve the school districts in the following Tennessee counties for the pilot program to get started:  Bedford County (TN), Cannon County (TN), Clay County (TN), Coffee County (TN), Lincoln County (TN), Hickman County (TN), Humphreys County (TN), Lawrence County (TN), Perry County (TN), Warren County (TN), White County (TN), and the Tennessee School for the Blind.

Kentucky counties covered by the program will also include Cumberland (KY), Graves County (KY), Logan County (KY), Marshall County (KY), Simpson County (KY).

The partnership will enhance the Nashville-based nonprofit’s 4EveryKid program, which is committed to providing a pair of brand-new athletic shoes to students experiencing homelessness across the United States.

4EveryKid partners have reported that 98% of their students feel more confident after receiving their shoes, and four in five felt more equal to their peers. Three in four students also increased their participation in sports and other extracurricular activities.

“Education is an important part of TVA’s mission of service, inside and outside of the classroom, and we are thrilled to partner with Soles4Souls to enhance these students’ learning experience,” shared Gary Harris, TVA’s Director of Community and Government Relations for the North Region. “Comfortable shoes to walk and play in at school can be taken for granted by many, and we know that lack of quality footwear is another obstacle for some of our children whose families may be struggling.”

The TVA north region covers portions of Tennessee and Kentucky. In some of these rural areas, the rate of students experiencing homelessness is 7.5 percent, which is more than three times the national average of 2.4 percent.

“Our partnership with TVA is a powerful example of how we can come together to support children experiencing homelessness across middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky,” said Buddy Teaster, CEO of Soles4Souls. “Providing new athletic shoes to these kids means we’re not just meeting immediate needs but also helping them feel more confident and ready to succeed in school and beyond.”

Through Soles4Souls’ collaborations with school districts, nonprofits, and champions nationwide, the 4EveryKid initiative has served 206,507 children since launching in 2020.

To learn more about Soles4Souls and the 4EveryKid program, please visit soles4souls.org.