PONTIAC, Mich. – A Pontiac nonprofit is making sure local kids head back to school in style — and without the financial strain that often comes with it.
The Micah 6 Community organization distributed about 1,200 pairs of brand-new shoes to area families, offering a wide variety of colors and sizes so every child could find a pair that fits.
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The effort was born from a simple question: What do families need most?
“A number of years ago somebody said shoes. We need back to school shoes. A bridge card doesn’t buy shoes, so I said okay we can help with that,” said Coleman Yoakum, executive director of Micah 6 Community.
For many parents, the giveaway came at just the right time.
“My one niece she’s somewhere around here, but she’s got five kids. That’s a real financial burden for her. Shoes are really expensive. It’s crazy how expensive they are,” said Belinda Grada, a parent at the event.
Beyond easing costs, organizers wanted kids to feel genuinely excited about going back to school — right down to what’s on their feet.
“It’s like their first day of school in some nice shoes. You can’t beat that. They’re so excited they hold them and say ‘I’ve got to use this tomorrow mom. I’m so happy,’” Grada said.
For the kids themselves, new shoes weren’t the only thing to look forward to.
When asked what she was most excited about heading back to school, third-grader Zuri Arnett smiled and said, “To see my friends and make new friends.”
The event was made possible through a network of community support that Yoakum says is central to everything Micah 6 does.
“So many community partners come in to make it happen, all of these great vendors that share resources. They’re just here to help our families,” Yoakum said.
The Micah 6 Community organization has been serving the Pontiac area since 2012, with a mission centered on supporting local families and children.