Community Foundation and Lighthouse Mission Launch Free Shoe Bank for Wabash County Children

Press release courtesy of Community Foundation of Wabash County

WABASH COUNTY, Ind. — The Community Foundation of Wabash County and Lighthouse Mission will celebrate the opening of a new free shoe bank for local children on Tuesday, June 10 at noon at Lighthouse Mission.

The shoe bank was inspired by the success of a special initiative launched in fall 2025 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Imagine Early scholarship program. Through a partnership with New Shoe Day, the Community Foundation provided a pair of new name-brand shoes to every fourth through eighth grade student participating in Imagine Early.

The initiative revealed a significant need in the community and prompted the Foundation to create a permanent resource for local families.

Beginning June 10, families may schedule an annual appointment to bring children ages 0–18 to Lighthouse Mission for a professional shoe fitting and a free pair of new name brand shoes. No income information is required.

During appointments, families who are not already enrolled in Imagine Early will also have the opportunity to learn about and enroll in the free scholarship program.

“We expect that many families will come for the shoes, but they will leave with something even more important and life changing: the opportunity for their child to earn up to $3,000 for their future career training,” said Alex Downard. “Most of that $3,000 is generated by the student’s own effort to attend school and complete all their in-school assignments.”

Jenny Ritzema, Director of Lighthouse Mission, said the impact extends beyond footwear.

“Having access to new shoes means dignity, belonging, and possibility for Wabash County children,” Ritzema said.

Families may schedule appointments by contacting the Community Foundation at 260-982-4824 or by email at imagine-early@cfwabash.org.

About Imagine Early

Established in 2016, Imagine Early transforms everyday schoolwork into opportunities for students to prepare for their futures while earning scholarships for education and career training after high school.

Students may enroll free of charge as early as birth. Participants in grades 4–8 earn scholarships each nine weeks for completing in-school assignments, while students in

grades 9–12 earn scholarships for extracurricular involvement and career preparation activities. From birth through grade 12, students may also earn savings matches for deposits into their 529 accounts.

All scholarship earnings and savings matches are deposited into a Community Foundation fund in the student’s name and may later be used for tuition, books, or required equipment at trade schools, vocational schools, community colleges, or universities.

Research conducted by the University of Michigan found that, compared to non-participants, Imagine Early students achieve higher grades, demonstrate stronger social-emotional skills, and save more frequently.

For more information about Imagine Early or the free shoe bank, contact the Community Foundation of Wabash County at 260-982-4824.