Braden Business Systems backs New Shoe Day's fight against shoe insecurity

Braden Business Systems has partnered statewide with Carmel nonprofit New Shoe Day to expand access to new footwear for Indiana children facing shoe insecurity. The group has already delivered more than 18,000 pairs of shoes and says the support helps kids stay active, confident and engaged at school.

Why it matters: - Shoe insecurity can keep Indiana students out of gym class, off sports teams and on the sidelines of the school day. - New shoes can also affect a child's confidence and mental health, making the issue more than a clothing gap. - Braden Business Systems' support adds corporate backing to a statewide effort already reaching schools, shelters and youth programs.

What happened: - Braden Business Systems announced a statewide Indiana partnership with New Shoe Day on August 17, 2026. - Braden Business Systems is an Indiana-based provider of managed IT services, cybersecurity, office technology and AI solutions. - New Shoe Day is a Carmel-based nonprofit that works as Indiana's Shoe Bank. - New Shoe Day provides new and proper footwear to children across Indiana facing shoe insecurity.

The details: - New Shoe Day has delivered more than 18,000 pairs of shoes so far. - The nonprofit works with more than 50 community partners. - New Shoe Day operates 14 shoe pantries across the state. - The organization expects to support nearly 200 projects statewide this year. - New Shoe Day serves schools, after-school programs, youth sports teams, shelters and neighborhood organizations. - A coach at Purdue Polytechnic High School Englewood said New Shoe Day helped keep a team from shrinking by half after athletes had been showing up in Crocs or everyday shoes. - Educators in Indianapolis reported students arriving in shoes that were literally coming apart. - Erik Braden, managing partner of Braden Business Systems, said the company's community focus is tied to its Indiana roots and that New Shoe Day solves a practical problem schools and coaches can use. - Casey Crouse, co-founder and executive director of New Shoe Day, said Braden's support helps the nonprofit say yes when worthy causes and needs arise. - Braden's community program, #TeamBraden, supports more than 100 nonprofit organizations each year. - Braden's nonprofit partners include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana, Gleaners Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis, DREAM Alive, Wheeler Mission and Special Olympics of Indiana. - Several of those groups also work alongside New Shoe Day. - More information about Braden's community work is available at Braden's giving-back page. - Organizations and individuals interested in supporting New Shoe Day can learn more at New Shoe Day.

Between the lines: - Braden is using a local philanthropy platform to support a basic needs issue that has an immediate impact on school participation. - New Shoe Day's model depends on community partners that can identify need quickly and get footwear to kids without extra friction. - The partnership also connects two Indiana organizations that already move in the same nonprofit and school networks.

What's next: - New Shoe Day will continue expanding its statewide network of partners and shoe pantries. - Braden is likely to keep channeling support through #TeamBraden and related community partnerships. - The nonprofit is seeking additional support from organizations and individuals across Indiana.

The bottom line: - The partnership turns a simple item of clothing into a support system for Indiana kids who need safe shoes to fully participate in school and sports.