BLOOMINGTON — Children and families attending the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington community block party on Saturday will find more than games and music waiting for them — they will find a permanent solution to a quiet, persistent barrier.
New Shoe Day, recognized as Indiana’s Shoe Bank, is officially launching its 13th statewide shoe pantry in partnership with local financial firm Hurlow Wealth Management. The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Saturday at the club’s Steve & Connie Ferguson Crestmont Club location on West 12th Street.
The pantry initiative introduces a streamlined approach to footwear distribution. Stocked with brand-new, name-brand shoes across a full range of children’s sizes, the facility allows club staff to measure and fit a child with a fresh pair on the exact same day a need is identified. The program operates entirely without bureaucratic hurdles: no applications, no waiting lists, and no official referrals required.
Hurlow Wealth Management, which selected New Shoe Day as its 2026 Charity of the Year, has fully funded the pantry’s launch. Firm founder John Hurlow, along with a team of employee volunteers, will be on-site during Saturday’s event to assist club staff in fitting children with shoes.
Casey Crouse, founder and executive director of New Shoe Day, emphasized the widespread impact of the program. Throughout 2026, the statewide initiative expects to distribute more than 10,000 new pairs of shoes to children across Indiana, tackling footwear insecurity one community at a time.
“New shoes are a real budget item for families with growing kids,” organizers noted. For many households balancing tight household budgets, replacing outgrown or worn-out shoes can present a significant financial strain.
Event Details At A Glance
- What: Official launch and ribbon-cutting for the New Shoe Day Shoe Pantry.
- When: Saturday, September 12, 2026. Ribbon-cutting at 10:15 a.m.; event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Where: Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington, Steve & Connie Ferguson Crestmont Club, 1111 W. 12th St., Bloomington, IN 47404.
- Access: On-site fitting with zero applications, referrals, or waiting periods, designed to restock and serve youth year-round.
Saturday’s block party activities will run until 2:00 p.m., featuring music, community engagement, and immediate shoe fittings coordinated by Hurlow volunteers and club leadership. Representatives of the Bloomington community are invited to attend.
