Running store partners with Boys & Girls Clubs to help local families put their best foot forward this school year
They say you can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes. On Monday, Fleet Feet Fort Wayne took that a step further—by giving away more than 200 pairs to local kids in need.
The donation, valued at around $30,000, went to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne. It’s part of a broader community initiative led by the local owners, the Croy family, and it couldn’t have come at a better time—with school right around the corner.
Giving, Not Just Running
Fleet Feet isn’t just about pace and form. The Fort Wayne store, like many across the country, is becoming known as much for its philanthropy as it is for its custom-fit sneakers.
In 2024 alone, the company says it donated:
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13,485 pairs of shoes
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$273,500 in goods
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76,150 meals
That’s not pocket change. And while national figures are impressive, what really hits home is how they show up locally.
Fleet Feet Fort Wayne’s recent shoe drop—over 200 pairs—isn’t just a blip. It’s part of a pattern.
The Croys, Quietly Making Moves
It’s not always the big corporations or celebrity-backed nonprofits making the noise. Sometimes, it’s local families like the Croys who quietly keep the engine running.
Owners of the Fort Wayne branch, the Croy family didn’t issue a flashy press release or hire influencers. They just got in touch with the Boys & Girls Clubs and asked: What do you need?
Turns out, it was shoes.
New kicks, especially high-quality ones, aren’t cheap. For families balancing rent, groceries, and back-to-school lists, a solid pair can feel like a luxury. The Croys saw a need and filled it.
One sentence here. Simple, clear.
The timing matters, too—just weeks before school starts.
Shoes That Do More Than Walk
A good pair of shoes can change a kid’s day. That’s not marketing fluff—it’s real.
Kids who don’t have properly fitted or decent shoes are more likely to face:
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Embarrassment at school
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Physical discomfort
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Poor participation in sports and play
At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne, where hundreds of children come for support, the donation hits multiple marks: dignity, comfort, and inclusion.
“These shoes aren’t just about fashion,” one volunteer said. “They’re about confidence. They’re about showing up ready.”
Let’s Talk Numbers
Fleet Feet’s impact is big—nationally and locally. To show you just how wide this reach goes, here’s a quick snapshot comparing 2024 national donations to Fort Wayne’s latest effort:
| Metric | National (2024) | Fort Wayne (July 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Pairs of Shoes Donated | 13,485 | 200+ |
| Estimated Donation Value | $273,500 | $30,000 |
| Meals Provided | 76,150 | N/A |
| Beneficiary | Multiple Communities | Boys & Girls Clubs FW |
Sure, 200 pairs might seem small compared to nearly 13,500. But zoom in, and you’ll see: in Fort Wayne, this is a big deal.
And to 200 kids? It’s everything.
The Power of Showing Up
It’s one thing to talk about helping. It’s another to actually do it. Fleet Feet didn’t just drop off a truckload of sneakers and leave.
They partnered. They showed up. They listened.
That part’s easy to overlook. But it’s huge.
One of the staff members at the Boys & Girls Clubs put it like this: “They could’ve sent a check. But instead, they asked what we needed—and they delivered it. Literally.”
There’s something refreshingly unglamorous about that. No stage. No speeches. Just real help.
Backpacks, Binders, and Now, Sneakers
Back-to-school season is often stressful. For families trying to stretch every dollar, it can feel downright exhausting.
That’s where gestures like this land with extra weight. These aren’t just extras—they’re essentials. And kids notice.
One paragraph only.
Local teachers have said that something as simple as a new pair of sneakers can change how a child walks into the classroom—head higher, feet lighter.
It’s not just about what they wear. It’s how they feel.
The Bigger Picture of Local Giving
What Fleet Feet Fort Wayne is doing might not make the national news cycle. But ask around the city, and it’s clear—it matters.
It’s a reminder that meaningful help doesn’t always have to be massive. It just needs to be personal.
This isn’t a one-off for the Croys, either. They’ve been supporting schools, clubs, and youth programs for years. The partnerships are organic. The impact? Quiet but lasting.
So while others chase headlines, Fleet Feet seems content to do something different: build trust, one step at a time.
