CSB Hosting Donation Bins in Kenosha, Paddock Lake for Shoes, Lunchboxes
KENOSHA — A local nonprofit is getting a head start on next school year with a back-to-school drive collecting new shoes and lunchboxes for local foster families.
1Hope’s Laces and Lunchboxes initiative takes place through July 31.
Donations bins are available at numerous locations including Community State Bank branches in Kenosha, 8304 75th St., Suite 100 and Paddock Lake, 25360 75th St.
Other locations include 1Hope, 5900 77th St., Great Lakes Church, 7600 75th St., Suite 220, Summer Moon Coffee, 6425 75th Street, Ruffalo’s Salon & Spa, 3519 52nd St., Waterfront Warehouse, 3322 Sheridan Road, Holy Rosary, 2224 45th St. and Valeo’s Pizza, 5021 30th Ave.
The goal is to collect 400 new pairs of shoes (all sizes) and lunchboxes for a fun, shopping event on July 31 at 1Hope.
“I watched what new shoes can do to a kid,” said 1Hope Executive Director Karisa Wenberg, a former educator at Kenosha Unified School District. “They can make you walk into a classroom and make you feel excited and good or they can make you not want to go to class.”
1Hope exists to love, strengthen and support foster families to build resiliency.
“These parents that take in foster kids, they are superheroes, honestly,” said Candice Timokhin, 1Hope Foster Family Support Network Assistant Manager. “They’re superheroes. And we can just help them in little ways.”
Community State Bank’s Ben Bruno is Assistant Vice President Business Banker in Kenosha. Having two kids of his own, Bruno understands what a new pair of shoes can do for a kid’s confidence.
“I just think back to when I was in school,” Bruno said. “Walking in the first day with a brand new fresh pair (of shoes) feeling like a million bucks. I think that’s priceless.”
The back-to-school initiative is just getting underway. Monetary donations and sponsorships are also available by visiting 1Hope.Community.
“The amount of people who kind of jumped on board and said we want to help has been tremendous,” Wenberg said.
For more community news, visit CSB.bank.