Every child deserves to step into a new pair of shoes. This year, the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF) is delighted to again work with local philanthropist Rob Fouss to ensure children in need have a new pair of shoes.

The Robert E. Fouss Memorial Fund, established in 1999 by his son, Rob Fouss and his sister, Pam Fouss Wenmoth, honors the memory of their father, Robert (Bob) E. Fouss, whose kind heart and generosity touched countless lives. During his 46 years in the shoe business—first at Fort Pitt Shoes on Market Street in Parkersburg and Keystone Shoes in Marietta. When the Grand Central Mall opened he consolidated both stores into one large store - Ford Shoes. After Bob’s passing his family discovered that he even allowed some families to pay for shoes by trading fresh eggs or bacon. Some of those children shared with Bob’s family that they were grown adults before they discovered it wasn’t common practice to pay for shoes with fresh eggs and bacon! 

“My father made sure that any kids who came into his store who needed shoes, left with a new pair on their feet,” Rob Fouss said. “It is a humbling feeling to help others less fortunate and this charitable fund is a way that I can honor my father’s lifelong ambition to help those in need.”

“The PACF works in partnership with local schools and charitable organizations to identify children who are in need,” said Amy Nahley, the PACF’s Senior Program Officer.  “We then work with those organizations to purchase and deliver the shoes with the support of the Robert E. Fouss Memorial Fund.”

Students who attend Creed Collins Elementary School will benefit from a recent grant to the school from the Robert E. Fouss Memorial Fund. The $1,000 grant enables Creed Collins Elementary School to purchase shoes for the school’s clothing closet. The clothing closet allows the school to meet the needs of students on site. 

Creed Collins Elementary School, Communities In Schools Liaison, Abbie Shepler shared, “We are very grateful for the generous support of the donor to provide us with funds to purchase shoes. This grant will help provide shoes of all sizes to be readily available in the clothing closet for when we see a need." 

Since its creation, the Robert E. Fouss Memorial Fund has helped hundreds of local children step confidently into their future, one pair of shoes at a time. If you’d like to make the season a little brighter for children in need, please consider donating at https://pacfwv.com/funds/robert-e-fouss-memorial-fund.