Lakewood Ranch-area students who lack stable housing could start the school year with new sneakers, thanks to a collection drive running through Sunday, Aug. 16 at the Manatee Performing Arts Center in Bradenton.
The Bradenton Woman's Club and the theater are co-hosting the drive during the production of FAME, according to event organizers. Collection bins are in the lobby at 502 Third Ave. W. in Bradenton, and donations of new sneakers in any size are accepted Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as during all performances through Aug. 16.
The sneakers go to Project HEART, the School District of Manatee County's homeless education program. HEART stands for Homeless Education And Resource Team, and the program serves students living in shelters, motels, cars, parks or doubled up with other families due to economic hardship. Beyond shoes, Project HEART helps with school enrollment, supplies, uniforms and referrals for medical and mental health services.
The drive's timing is tight.
The first day of school for Manatee County students is Monday, Aug. 10, just four days after collection began. Project HEART serves students across the district, including those at Lakewood Ranch High School, Robert Willis Elementary and Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary.
An estimated 2,000 students in Manatee County are experiencing homelessness, according to Turning Points, a local nonprofit that reported the figure in September 2025. Nationally, public schools identified more than 1.5 million students experiencing homelessness in the 2023-2024 school year, the highest number on record, according to SchoolHouse Connection.
"When families are unstable, the children cannot focus on their academics," Kathleen Cramer, executive director of Turning Points, said in September 2025 when the nonprofit proposed bringing homeless-prevention services into Manatee County schools.
Residents who want to help can bring new sneakers to the Manatee Performing Arts Center lobby through Aug. 16. For FAME tickets, call the box office at 941-748-5875.
