Shoes and Clothes for Kids
About Us
Shoes and Clothes for Kids (SC4K) is the only non-profit organization in Greater Cleveland providing new shoes, clothes, and school supplies to students in need year-round. Learn the story behind what we do and meet the people involved in making it happen today.
FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions):
SC4K is a non-profit organization in Greater Cleveland. Since 1969, SC4K has been dedicated to its mission to break barriers to school attendance by providing new shoes, clothes, and school supplies for students in need. We provide these items throughout the year at no charge through a network of schools and partner organizations.
In December of 2023, SC4K moved its entire operation to the Community Resource Center (CRC) at 15500 South Waterloo Road, Cleveland, OH 44110. The internet will send you to the main entrance for the Food Bank market. SC4K is located at the other (west) end of the building.
All volunteers & visitors should use the double glass doors between the SC4K and MetroHealth Clinic to enter. SC4K is located on the right once you're inside.
SC4K is an independent, non-profit organization serving families in need throughout Greater Cleveland.
One of our programs, the Teacher Resource Center program, is made possible through our affiliation with national nonprofit Kids in Need Foundation. As one of 40 Teacher Resource Centers nationwide, Kids in Need Foundation provides SC4K with in-kind donations of products to help keep our shelves stocked.
SC4K serves teachers, students, and families through a network of community distribution partners and schools. We also serve parents and full-time caregivers of school-aged children who are referred to us by the Greater Cleveland Food Bank Community Resource Center and its 15+ non-profit partner agencies.
The Teacher Resource Center is available to any educator in Cuyahoga County where 60%+ of students in their school are eligible for the National School Lunch Program. See additional details in the next FAQ.
Our distribution partners determine who is eligible to receive services through the SC4K Legacy Program based on the unique needs of their communities.
Direct Service recipients must reside in Cuyahoga County and be the full-time caregiver or parent of the student(s) in need, and must be referred on-site through one of the Community Resource Center partner organizations. We do not accept walk-ins.
As a general guideline, SC4K serves families living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. In the State of Ohio, living at 200% of poverty equates to an annual household income of $66,000 or less for a family of four. View the 2026 Federal poverty guidelines.
You must be a full time teacher, social worker, or student support specialist in a Cuyahoga County school where 60% or more of the students qualify for the National School Lunch Program.
The school where you teach must also have an assigned SC4K Ambassador who serves as the liaison between your school and SC4K. For more information on our Teacher Program, please visit the Teachers Section of our website or email teacher@SC4K.org.
While we do provide new coats, Shoes and Clothes for Kids is a different and separate 501(c)(3) organization with a unique mission.
We started as Shoes for Kids. In 1998, when we added clothing items to our mission Shoes for Kids officially became Shoes and Clothes for Kids.
Formerly known as Cleveland Kids in Need Resource Center, our Teacher Resource Center program serves as the local affiliate of Kids in Need Foundation. Kids in Need Foundation works with national retailers and manufacturers to provide in-kind donations to a national network of teacher resource centers that serve educators in under-resourced schools, including SC4K.
Giving to SC4K :
The easiest way is to donate online. You can also call to provide your credit card information. Or you can mail a check (written out to Shoes and Clothes to Kids) to SC4K, 15500 South Waterloo Road, Cleveland, OH 44110-3808.
SC4K also accepts gifts of appreciated stock, gifts from your donor-advised fund, or gifts from your IRA.
We can receive donor-directed gifts through United Way. However, SC4K is not a member agency of United Way. Because of this, an administrative fee is deducted from your donation by United Way.
Of every dollar donated to SC4K, $0.81 is spent on programs serving Cleveland’s under-resourced students and teachers. The organization is audited annually by Zinner & Co. and has achieved the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for 20 consecutive years and a Platinum Transparency rating in 2025 from Candid.
Yes! SC4K is always in need of individuals and groups to volunteer.
Check out the volunteer page on the website or complete the Volunteer Interest Form and our Volunteer Manager will follow up with you.
No, we do not accept any used items in keeping with our mission that states we specifically distribute only new shoes, clothes, and school supplies. We believe having something new builds self-esteem and confidence for children, leading to new outlooks and inspiring bright futures.
Helping a Community in Need
