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Last week, Arizona Worm Farm employees put their shovels down for the day to give back in their community by purchasing new, well-fitting athletic shoes for an entire school. The shoe delivery took place at Ignacio Conchos Elementary School in South Phoenix, where 420 excited students celebrated as Worm Farm team members helped them lace up shoes that had been measured for the perfect fit.

For many of the students, new shoes are more than just a gift, they are relief from the pain of not having a well-fitting pair of shoes, and relief from the shame that too many children feel every day because of the inappropriate shoes they must attend school with.

Shoes That Fit’s Director of Operations, Karen McMillen shares the following story from the delivery: “There was one little girl who had put beans and pebbles into the toes of her shoes that were several sizes too big, so that they would not slide around as she walked. She was so embarrassed that she didn’t want to take her shoes off to try the new shoes on.”

The new shoes provided by Arizona Worm Farm demonstrate to the children of Ignacio Conchos Elementary that the community cares about them—and the students got the message. Their smiles were matched only by those of Arizona Worm Farm employees, who continue to host schools and students at their farm, and plant seeds of hope and gratitude in their community.