KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — An annual shoe and school supplies giveaway in Knox County is coming up ahead of the start of school. For the 22nd year, the Knoxville Area Urban League is giving out free shoes and school supplies to students during Shoes for School. But in order to pull off a big event like this, a lot of volunteers are needed.
The event is expected to start on Aug. 3 at 9 a.m. and last until 12 p.m. at the Jacobs Building. It is meant to boost self-esteem as students start the school year and set them up for academic success. This year, the Urban League is also hoping to connect families to resources so they can also find success.
Gabriela Sanchez Benitez, an intern with the Urban League, said she's never volunteered at Shoes for School, but some of her friends have. She said volunteering makes her feel empowered and she's excited to see the fruits of her labor.
"I've been on the receiving end of, like, what the Knoxville Area Urban League kind of does for the community. And as an intern this year, I've been working on the behind-the-scenes, kind of seeing like what the work into making these community events possible looks like."
Volunteers are needed to help before and after the event. She said events are expected from July 29 through Aug. 3 to count the shoes, assign the shoes to students and prepare the event. On the day of the event, volunteers can help people with parking, work at the urban league's photo booth or hand out maps, along with many other tasks.
Leaders also said there is also a need for interpreters.
"I think it's always important to have interpreters at any event, whether that's a community event and within a school, within a business. Just because interpreters kind of bridge some gaps, especially when it comes to two different language backgrounds, for the shoes, for school events specifically. I think it's more a supportive role because it's supposed to be an exciting event for parents and students," said Sanchez Benitez. "We can be here to help and kind of bridge the gap and show them that biolinguistic individuals or bicultural individuals can also be incorporated in these events without feeling uncomfortable or fearful of anything."
She said she hopes to make attendees feel welcomed and comfortable.
"For me, kind of growing up where spaces where English was the primary language of use in certain spaces, using my second language wasn't the most comfortable to me," she said. "So for me to be at this event and help other parents and youth, I hope that it makes them more comfortable."
She also people should consider volunteering even if they do not speak multiple languages. Sign-up forms to receive shoes and school supplies are closed, but the Urban League is still accepting applications to volunteer at the event.
"Any help that we can get is going to be very appreciated, and it's really going to keep this event going forward — this year, next year and in the years to come," said Sanchez Benitez.