Shoes for Success Humboldt aims to help 100 local kids this year

Shoes for Success Humboldt is aiming to fit 100 local children with brand-new shoes this year, building on a program co-founders Bailey Davy and Oceana Bansemer say has already helped more than 150 kids in its first two years. Davy put it plainly: “This is our third year doing it.”

The effort is built around two shopping days in August, when parents and children will be able to pick out shoes directly instead of taking home whatever size happens to be left on a shelf. That choice matters as much as the shoes themselves. A pair that fits well can help a student start the year ready for class, sports and the long walk through a school day, while the act of choosing a pair gives a child a small but real sense of ownership.

Donations for the 2026 drive begin in July, with sponsorships starting at $25 and custom contributions available through the project website. Shoes 4 Success Humboldt says all donations benefit the program and that it is powered by Bridging the Gap, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Supporters can also mail or drop off checks at 325 2nd Street in Eureka or 1131 Main Street in Fortuna, and the payment description should include Shoes 4 Success.

The partnership with Bridging The Gap Foundation ties the shoe drive to a larger local safety net. The foundation says its mission is to bring joy to overlooked or forgotten community members through gift-giving year-round, not just during the holidays. Last year’s fundraising success helped provide gift cards to women at the Humboldt County Domestic Violence Services women’s shelter, showing how the same network can support families facing immediate hardship.

The need is broad. The Humboldt County Office of Education serves all 31 local school districts, so even a small back-to-school drive can reach across a wide part of the county. California’s children-in-poverty dashboard tracks county-level data, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps identifies children living in poverty as a major community health and opportunity measure, and KidsData’s Humboldt County profile shows that some local estimates are suppressed because of data limitations. In that context, a new pair of shoes is not just a donation. It is one less cost for a family already stretching to cover the start of school.