CIAA and Samaritan’s Feet deliver free shoes to Baltimore students during annual school distribution

A school-based effort aimed at a basic need

Hundreds of Baltimore City Public Schools students received new athletic shoes and socks this week through a community distribution organized by the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and the nonprofit Samaritan’s Feet.

The latest distribution took place on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Hilton Elementary School in North Baltimore, where more than 300 students were served. The event paired students with volunteers who helped ensure proper sizing and provided one-on-one interaction during the fitting process. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott attended and spoke about the financial strain many families face when children outgrow footwear quickly.

How volunteers and schools coordinate delivery

The shoe distribution relied heavily on volunteer support, including college students connected to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and CIAA-affiliated participants. Organizers described the model as more than a handoff of supplies: each child is matched with a volunteer to guide them through the process and help confirm fit.

School leaders also framed the distribution as an immediate, practical support for attendance and day-to-day readiness, given that ill-fitting shoes can contribute to discomfort and limit participation in school activities.

“All of our students will be receiving shoes,” Hilton Elementary principal Erica Gravette said during the event, describing the distribution as timely for families facing economic pressure.

Extending the program beyond a single event

Alongside the Hilton Elementary distribution, organizers said a “shoe locker” initiative is being provided to Lakewood Elementary, stocked with 200 pairs of shoes that can be issued when students arrive with footwear that no longer fits or is too worn for regular use. The model is designed to give schools an on-hand resource for urgent needs that arise between larger distribution events.

Related Baltimore distributions show recurring demand

The CIAA–Samaritan’s Feet partnership has conducted similar distributions in Baltimore in prior years. In March 2024, a district update described more than 300 pairs of shoes being handed out to students at Furley Elementary School as part of a coordinated effort involving district services.

Separate from the CIAA-linked program, Samaritan’s Feet also held a January 2026 distribution at Harlem Park Elementary School, where 500 pairs of shoes and socks were provided as part of the organization’s National Day of Service campaign associated with Martin Luther King Jr. Day observances.

What the partnership includes

• School-based shoe and sock distributions with volunteer support and sizing assistance
• Targeted support for schools through on-site shoe supplies, including “shoe locker” inventories
• Ongoing collaboration tied to CIAA community programming and recurring seasonal service efforts

Organizers indicated the Baltimore distributions are part of a broader effort focused on delivering properly fitting footwear to students who need it, with schools serving as the central distribution point.