Number of children needing new shoes has risen sharply

In 2025, the school ordered 57 pairs of shoes through KidsCan. At three quarters of the way through 2026, they have ordered 165 pairs – enough shoes for around 60% of the school’s roll.

Principal Mark Ellis says they can see the need simply by looking at the shoes a child is wearing.

Having shoes available at school means Mark can respond straight away. He keeps some pairs tucked away so that when a new student arrives needing support, the school can provide them with what they need straight away.

“Parents and kids are over the moon,” he says. “The shoes make such a difference.”

Mark believes the cost of living is a major factor behind the growing need.

Cold Canterbury weather means having a good pair of shoes is particularly important. For Mark, having KidsCan shoes and jackets available means the school can step in when it sees a child needs something, without families having to find the money themselves.

But with 165 pairs of shoes ordered already this year, providing that support at the scale it is now needed is something Rakaia School simply couldn't afford to do alone.

“If we couldn’t access shoes through KidsCan, it would just make things harder for our students. There is no way we could go and buy that many pairs of shoes. We just can’t do that.”

Being able to provide a pair of shoes when a child needs them is one practical way the school can ease some of the pressure families are facing – and make sure children have what they need for school.