This is the eighth year that Merrell and Mast General Store are partnering with our community food agencies in support of Food for Kids. They realize how important it is to give a child a good foundation to grow, to learn, and to just be a kid. From October 26th through November 8th, Merrell Footwear will make a donation to fill a backpack with weekend food for each pair of shoes purchased.

Second Harvest Food Bank is our local food relief partner at the Knoxville Store. They are East Tennessee’s largest hunger-relief charity, operating programs in 18 counties. They secure and distribute over 18 million pounds of food annually through a network of over 500 partnering non-profit organizations such as food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, and schools. One in five children in East Tennessee are food insecure. This past year alone, 251 East Tennessee schools participated in the Food for Kids weekend backpack program and over 11,000 children were provided with 750,000 meals.

How does Food for Kids work?
The agencies work with schools and teachers to discreetly determine which children need help. Each weekend during the school year, they are given weekend food that may also help feed sisters and brothers, and perhaps the rest of their families.  Teachers report better participation, self-esteem, and behavior as a result of the Food for Kids program.

"Merrell's involvement has helped to provide thousands of weekend meals,” said Lisa Cooper, president of Mast General Store. “We are proud to have vendor partners that take an interest in helping us address food access needs in our communities. Merrell believes in the importance of giving a child a good foundation to grow, learn, and just be a kid.”

While hunger is a complicated social issue, it’s not hard or expensive to help. Literally, any donation amount can make a difference. In addition to Merrell’s contribution, the Mast Store will be accepting contributions in change jars to help the Food for Kids program even more. On average, $1 can provide 3 nutritious meals.

Follow this link to view Mast Store's collection of Merrell Footwear.