ESSENTIAL KICKS™

Footwear options for frontline and returning workers

Essential Kicks™ is a transformative program that provides access to certified non-slip footwear for frontline and returning workers. The Essential Kicks™ footware program enables income qualified participants to get fitted for and receive a free pair of non-slip shoes, helping those who might not otherwise have the funds or bandwidth to learn about preventing injury and increasing daily comfort, let alone support walking as part of their commute.


Essential workers who are at least 18 years of age; serve the community in the following sectors: healthcare, public education, family care (including childcare, preschool and eldercare), food & grocery service, and as first responders; and whose income does not exceed 80% of the median family income for the area as adjusted for family size; can request to be added to our interest list.


PROGRAM BENEFITS INCLUDE:

Receive a certified non-slip paid of work shoes for free as quantities are available (in store only)
Get your size measured and pick out your shoes from our service provider KEEN FOOTWEAR in Palo Alto
Get your size measured and pick out your shoes from our service provider FOOTWEAR ETC in Los Altos
Get your size measured and pick out your shoes from our service provider FOOTWEAR ETC in San Carlos
Discounts on insoles and compression socks from our brick & mortar vendor network

STYLES AVAILABLE

KEEN Kenton Shift WTX Slip-On
Men's & Women's

The KEEN Kenton Shift WTX Work Shoe (Soft Toe) is a retro-inspired slip-on work shoe with lightweight safety features, active fit, and athletic cushioning for tasklists that don't quit. Extra-grippy outsole for traction on slick surfaces.


Available in both Men's and Women's sizes for program participants through our service provider KEEN Footwear at their Palo Alto brick & mortar store location while quantities last.


Learn more about the men's style here.

Learn more about the women's style here.

KEEN Kenton Shift WTX Slip-On
Men's & Women's

The KEEN Kenton Shift WTX Work Shoe (Soft Toe) is a retro-inspired slip-on work shoe with lightweight safety features, active fit, and athletic cushioning for tasklists that don't quit. Extra-grippy outsole for traction on slick surfaces.


Available in both Men's and Women's sizes for program participants through our service provider KEEN Footwear at their Palo Alto brick & mortar store location while quantities last.


Learn more about the men's style here.

Learn more about the women's stylehere.

KEEN Kenton Shift WTX Laces
Men's & Women's

The KEEN Kenton Shift WTX Work Shoe (Soft Toe) is a retro-inspired work shoe reinvented with lightweight safety features, active fit, and athletic cushioning for tasklists that don't quit. Extra-grippy outsole for traction on slick surfaces.


Available in both Men's and Women's sizes for program participants through our service provider KEEN Footwear at their Palo Alto brick & mortar store location while quantities last.


Learn more about the men's style here.

Learn more about the women's style here.


HOKA Bondi SR - Men's

The HOKA Bondi SR is a casual men's leather walking shoe with a non-marking, slip-resistant sole & water-resistant upper.


This style features a tread designed to optimize traction on a variety of surfaces and was tested on surfaces with water, oil, and soap for slip-resistance. Available for program participants through our service provider Footwear Etc. in their Los Altos  or San Carlos brick & mortar store locations while quantities last.


Learn more about the style here.

HOKA Bondi SR - Men's

The HOKA Bondi SR is a casual men's leather walking shoe with a non-marking, slip-resistant sole & water-resistant upper.


This style features a tread designed to optimize traction on a variety of surfaces and was tested on surfaces with water, oil, and soap for slip-resistance. Available for program participants through our service provider Footwear Etc. in their Los Altos  or San Carlos brick & mortar store locations while quantities last.


Learn more about the style here.

HOKA Bondi SR - Women's

The HOKA Bondi SR is a casual women's leather walking shoe with a non-marking, slip-resistant sole & water-resistant upper.


This style features a tread designed to optimize traction on a variety of surfaces and was tested on surfaces with water, oil, and soap for slip-resistance. Available for program participants through our service provider Footwear Etc. in their Los Altos  or San Carlos brick & mortar store locations while quantities last.


Learn more about the style here.

KEEN Vista Energy+ Shift
Men's & Women's

The KEEN Vista Energy+ Shift Work Shoe (Soft Toe) is designed with game-changing midsole cushioning, leather upper, and grippy PTC rubber outsole, this slip-on work sneaker adds protection for workdays on slick surfaces.


Available in both Men's and Women's sizes for program participants through our service provider KEEN Footwear at their Palo Alto brick & mortar store location while quantities last.


Learn more about the men's style here.

Learn more about the women's style here.

KEEN Vista Energy+ Shift
Men's & Women's

The KEEN Vista Energy+ Shift Work Shoe (Soft Toe) is designed with game-changing midsole cushioning, leather upper, and grippy PTC rubber outsole, this slip-on work sneaker adds protection for workdays on slick surfaces.


Available in both Men's and Women's sizes for program participants through our service provider KEEN Footwear at their Palo Alto brick & mortar store location while quantities last.


Learn more about the men's style here.

Learn more about the women's stylehere.

KEEN PTC Oxford - Men's & Women's

The KEEN PTC Oxford offers all-day comfort on the job, plus water resistance, wipe-clean convenience, and a plush footbed with this low-profile work shoe.


Available in both Men's and Women's sizes for program participants through our service provider KEEN Footwear at their Palo Alto brick & mortar store location while quantities last.


Learn more about the men's style here.

Learn more about the women's style here.

Clark's PRO Free - Men's

The Clark's PRO Free is a casual women's leather walking shoe with a non-marking, slip-resistant sole & water-resistant upper.


This style features a tread designed to optimize traction on a variety of surfaces and was tested on surfaces with water, oil, and soap for slip-resistance. Available for program participants through our service provider Footwear Etc. in their Los Altos  or San Carlos brick & mortar store locations while quantities last.


Learn more about the style here.

Clark's PRO Free - Men's

The Clark's PRO Free is a casual women's leather walking shoe with a non-marking, slip-resistant sole & water-resistant upper.


This style features a tread designed to optimize traction on a variety of surfaces and was tested on surfaces with water, oil, and soap for slip-resistance. Available for program participants through our service provider Footwear Etc. in their Los Altos brick & mortar store location while quantities last.


Learn more about the style here.

DANSKO XP 2.0 Honey - Women's

This XP 2.0 performance clog by Dansko is made with tough jobs and long days in mind. Dansko's #1 occupational shoe has slip-resistant support will help you keep your footing all day long.


This style features distressed leather and patented slip-resistant rubber outsole suitable for dry, wet, and oily/wet surfaces. Wide heel strike assists with stability. Available for program participants through our service provider Footwear Etc. in their Los Altos  or San Carlos brick & mortar store locations while quantities last.


Learn more about the style here.

Our

Collaborators and Sponsors

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Collaborators

We are honored to be collaborating with community institutions to help support essential workers during their participation in our program and beyond. We aim to help make transportation mode shift easier for the essential workforce.

If you have an idea for a collaboration, contact us at info@manzanita.works.
Would having access to quality certified non-slip shoes make your feet happy and your commute easier?

If you are an essential worker in healthcare, education, food service, family care or first response, you may qualify to receive a pair of shoes for free as quantities are available.

Express your interest in participating in the program at the following survey link. Please note that some questions take a moment to load.
INTEREST LIST


Vendors

We collaborate with local brick and mortar vendors who have options available for participants who want to try certified non-slip footwear and support walking as a viable way of getting to work.

Program participants can access various purchase discounts from these vendors. If you are a vendor who would like to be in our network, contact us at info@manzanita.works.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this website, and any materials produced or provided by Manzanita Works, a fiscally sponsored project of Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, is for informational and educational purposes only. The information is provided without warranty of any kind, express or implied. The information provided does not constitute legal advice, and is not intended to provide public health recommendations. Manzanita Works is not licensed or qualified to provide such advice. Users are advised to consult with their own counsel before taking any action. This website may contain external links or references to other resources. Manzanita Works makes no representation whatsoever regarding the content of any other resources referenced herein, nor the statement of any third parties whose comments may be linked on this website.