COVID-19 Community Outreach
During the unprecedented time of COVID-19, Genesco and its operating divisions have supported the Middle Tennessee and U.K. communities, helping take care of the communities where they work and live. Genesco is proud to partner with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency’s (TEMA) and its COVID-19 response. The Company donated 25,000 square feet at the Journeys Distribution Center in Lebanon to help TEMA with the area’s COVID-19 pandemic emergency response. The space is being used to store TEMA’s medical supplies for the region.
In addition, Johnston & Murphy has donated 8,000 masks to the Community Resource Center in Middle Tennessee to help the non-profit agency’s endless support of COVID-19-related community initiatives.
Genesco Licensed Brands and Journeys are collaborating on footwear donations to the Middle Tennessee community. These agencies include Metropolitan Nashville and Wilson County public schools, frontline healthcare workers and Soles4Souls. The Schuh Trust donated £3million to the National Emergencies Trust and the NHS Charities Together COVID-19 Appeal to help U.K. charities combat the effects of Coronavirus, including providing vital support of food donations and mental wellbeing counseling, assisting those struggling with debt, and more.
30th Anniversary of Genesco’s Annual Community Outreach Cold Feet, Warm Shoes
For more than 30 years, Genesco’s signature community outreach program, Cold Feet Warm Shoes, has provided more than 100,000 pairs of shoes to communities in need.
Genesco volunteers individually measure and fit each child with a pair of new shoes in a mock shoe store set up in the school’s gym. Students will also receive a warm sweatshirt. Cold Feet, Warm Shoes provides children with the power of choice; the same respect and service they would receive at any of Genesco’s 1,480 retail stores; and the practical solution of properly fitting, warm footwear.
In December 2019, more than 250 Genesco employee volunteers took part in the Company’s 30th annual Cold Feet, Warm Shoes event at Park Avenue Elementary School in Nashville. Together, Genesco volunteers fit approximately 400 students with a new pair of shoes, warm socks and a new sweatshirt for holidays and pending winter weather. Students were empowered with a choice and provided the same respect and service that they would receive in any of Genesco’s 1,400-plus retail stores.
In the News
Make a Difference Charity Golf Tournament Benefitting United Way
Since 2003, Genesco’s United Way “Make a Difference Charity Golf Tournament” has raised more than $5 million for the United Way of Greater Nashville. Underwritten 100% by Genesco, the event is all volunteer run with more than 75 employees involved from its steering group to course volunteers. All proceeds benefit the United Way of Greater Nashville and the middle Tennessee community as a whole.
United Way of Greater Nashville
Shortly after the Company’s founding in 1924, Genesco collaborated with other Middle Tennessee community leaders and helped establish the United Giving Fund, predecessor of today’s United Way of Greater Nashville. For nearly 90 years, Genesco’s employees and the Company have been making a difference in the lives of thousands of Middle Tennesseans, by community engagement events ranging from the “Make a Difference” Charity Golf Tournament, bake sales and chili cook-offs to the annual United Way Corn Hole tournament and one-on-one community outreach.
Beyond its volunteer efforts giving back to the community, Genesco believes it is important to give back to its greatest assets, its own employees. The Company maintains two legacy programs to make a difference in its own employees’ lives. These include:
The Genesco Employee Scholarship
Genesco employees, full or part-time—and children of employees—are eligible to apply for the Genesco Employee Scholarship. This scholarship can be used for any costs associated with an accredited college or university.
Here’s what you need to know about the scholarship program:
- You must be enrolled (or enrolling) as an undergraduate in an accredited college or university for the following semester.
- Scholarships are awarded in amounts from $500 to $3,000.
- A third-party selection committee from The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee reviews each application and selects recipients. The committee considers these factors in awarding scholarships: GPA, civic and extracurricular activities, and financial need.
- Don’t wait until the last minute, because like all scholarships, it takes time to fill out the application.
- Submissions for application open in December and end in early February. It’s best to check the current year’s submission deadlines.
- To access an application for the domestic Employee Scholarship, please click here.
- To access an application for the International Employee Scholarship, please click here.
c/o The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee 3833 Cleghorn Avenue #400 Nashville, Tennessee 37215-2519 Phone 615-321-4939, Toll-Free 888-540-5200 CFMT.org
Genesco Employee Emergency Fund
The Genesco Employee Emergency Fund was established in 2010 following the devastating Nashville, Tennessee, 1,000-year flood. The fund helps Genesco employees or eligible dependents who are experiencing economic hardship as a result of certain unforeseen and unpreventable circumstances. This includes employees who are unable to afford housing, utilities, and other basic living expenses. at www.cfmt.org/give/corporate-funds/genesco-employee-emergency-fund/.
Genesco’s community relations program supports non-profit initiatives and organizations that strive to improve the overall quality of life in the communities where our employees work and live. The program seeks to align limited charitable resources with employees’ volunteer leadership and activities, and areas of corporate interest. Through these priorities, the program attempts to build goodwill for the Company in the community and to enhance its attractiveness as an employer. Beyond financial giving, the Company empowers employees to volunteer and make an impact in their communities through a variety of supportive initiatives, including:
- Genesco’s Community Service Policy provides Genesco’s full-time employees at the corporate offices and in Journeys, 10 hours per year of paid time to perform community service.
- Genesco Employee Matching Gifts Program will match up to four donations per employee or director for a combined total of $1,000 each fiscal year to accredited 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.