(Photo provided) Rob Fouss, right, presented a $1,000 grant to Children’s Home Society Shelter Supervisor Kelsey Cline.

PARKERSBURG — The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation again worked with local philanthropist Rob Fouss to ensure children in need have a new pair of shoes for Christmas.

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, according to a release from the foundation.

Fouss spent 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 into one large store, Ford Shoes.

After his passing, his family discovered that he 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 in that way.

“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.”

This December, a $1,000 grant from the fund brought smiles to the children at the Arthur N. Gustke Child Shelter, part of the Children’s Home Society of Parkersburg. Each child received a new pair of shoes, with another pair waiting to be unwrapped on Christmas morning. Any remaining funds will go toward providing socks and shoes for future residents.

Students who attend Creed Collins Elementary School in Pennsboro will also 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, which helps the school to meet the needs of students on site.

Since its creation, the Robert E. Fouss Memorial Fund has helped hundreds of local children. People can find information about donating to the fund online at https://pacfwv.com/funds/robert-e-fouss-memorial-fund.