JFS shoes-for-kids program back for another year

CELINA - Mercer County families in need will have the opportunity to apply for vouchers to outfit their children with new shoes and school-affiliated clothing for next school year.

"We wanted them to have some pride in their school and show their school shirts," Mercer County Job and Family Services Director Angela Nickell told The Daily Standard. "A lot of them, this is cost-prohibitive. … They should feel special, too, and the way everything is so expensive for families these days, it's just something we wanted to do to help."

Mercer County JFS has enough funds to furnish the shoes and clothes to about 300 program-eligible children, roughly 35 to 50 more than in previous years, according to Nickell.

"We've done a few other things over the years, but the shoes seem to be the most popular, and every eligible child, when the family applies for it, will receive a voucher to a shoe store," Nickell said. "They can get shoes up to the value of $100."

The vouchers can be used at Kelli's Shoes in Fort Recovery, as well as Shoe Show and Wilson's Shoe Store, both in Celina. Store managers will then return the vouchers to JFS for reimbursement.

"Additionally, we have procured what we call a spirit pack, and we've done this a couple of years, and last year we couldn't. We didn't have the funding for it," she said. "They can pick up a T-shirt and then a long-sleeve sweatshirt with their school logo on it."

Those approved for the program can select up to $50 of clothing at Albert Sporting Goods in St. Marys, which submitted the lowest quote to Mercer County Commissioners. They can choose from a T-shirt, long-sleeve shirt, hooded sweatshirt and crewneck sweatshirt.

"We haven't started taking applications yet, but I want people to be planning for it," Nickell said, noting that applications and program requirements soon will be posted on the agency's website and Facebook page and made available in the office.

Residents who have or support a child and whose family incomes are at or under 200% of the federal poverty level will be eligible to apply. Nickell said program slots fill up quickly once the application window is opened.

"A lot of families qualify for it," she said. "Most of the people who apply for these sorts of things, they are working families. Even when both mother and father work, if they've got three, four kids, they are in that bracket."

Commissioners on Thursday signed off on both the annual shoe program and Albert Sporting Goods' bid for the spirit pack.

The overall program will be funded with $45,000 in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program funds. Commissioners also gave their blessing to JFS using up to $7,500 in levy funds to open up the program to those recently served by the Children Service Division.

"Everything's getting so tight with budgeting for some programs, and this is one of them. It's just very tight," Nickell said. "This back-to-school program is really important to us. We've spent a lot throughout the year. We do the car repairs and help with rent and utilities. … We're always very frugal."

Program funding is never a guarantee and often varies in amount.

"One year we had enough funds that they could get a pair of sweatpants and shorts and a T-shirt and a sweatshirt, but we don't always get those kinds of funds," she said. "Plus, all the prices are increasing, too."

JFS has hosted the back-to-school shoe program for over a decade and the spirt packs on and off over the last six or so years. The program was open to children age 5-18 last year.

"I think it's been very well received. A lot of people are excited by it," Nickell said. "It's something that they can do for their kids. It's their tax dollars, too. They're paying in, and they can get a little benefit for their children. I think they're very grateful for that."