YOUTH BOOT BANK

YOUTH HIKING BOOT LOAN PROGRAM

The Tuleyome Boot Bank is a youth hiking boot lending program that provides high-quality hiking boots to local youth at no cost for the duration of their physical growth up to age 18. The Boot Bank, founded by Davis Boy Scout Troop 111 and operated out of an antique milk truck, is available to the community at scheduled community locations. The Boot Bank was developed in response to the practical challenge faced by families in purchasing  high quality, well-fitting hiking boots for youths with ever-increasing shoe sizes. It’s simply not economical for most families to purchase such boots that may we worn only a few times before they are outgrown. This circumstance detracts from youth interest and pleasure in hiking.

Goals

  • Encourage youths and their families to experience the pleasure of hiking and to appreciate and value outdoor recreational opportunities.
  • Through positive hiking experiences, encourage youths and their families to support preservation and conservation efforts required to ensure outdoor recreational opportunities in the future.

Boots

The hiking boots are new and gently used high quality boots provided through donations by individuals and corporations (boot manufacturers and retailers). Manufacturers include Merrill, Keen, Vasque, Montrail, The North Face, REI and others.

Operation

The Boot Bank first operated out of antique milk truck, described below. In addition to the milk truck, we now also hold Boot Bank events at the Tuleyome office and from our miniature mobile boot bank.


Calendar: Stop by the Tuleyome offices during our monthly Youth Boot Bank Office Hours, 2:30pm - 5:30pm on the first Wednesday of every month. The Boot Bank also comes to a variety of other Tuleyome programs - see our events page for details.


User Agreement: boot users sign an agreement in which they agree to use the boots only for hiking, outdoor adventures, and inclement weather, not for everyday use (the purpose of boot program is to encourage participation in outdoor recreational opportunities, not to meet basic shoe needs). Users agree to return the boots in good condition except for reasonable wear and tear.

ANTIQUE MILK TRUCK

The Boot Bank operates out of a 1967 Divco step van formerly owned and operated by Marshall Rice in support of his dairy service to the Davis community for 34 years, from 1970 to 2004. The milk truck was acquired by Alan Brattesani after Marshall’s passing in November 2014. Alan generously donated the truck to Tuleyome, along with funding for operational costs, in support of the Boot Bank.

HOW TO KEEP UP WITH THIS PROJECT AND/OR
BECOME A YOUTH BOOT BANK VOLUNTEER

Let us know what kind of volunteer work you'd like to do for the Youth Boot Bank project by filling out this form.

Contact Us

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