Apparel Companies Across the Country Rally Around Clothes4Souls(TM) for Natural Disaster Relief

Soles4Souls(R) Clothing Division to Send Aid to Chile & Haiti Victims

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Mar 04, 2010, 05:19 ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Soles4Souls® Inc., the international shoe charity that gives away new and gently worn shoes, announced today its clothing division Clothes4Souls has already received incredible support from the apparel industry, including donations from Miss Me Jeans, American Apparel, Blac Label Premium, Artisans, New Balance, Converse, and Feetures! socks. National Stores, Inc. donated 150,000 school uniforms for children in need internationally. The clothing division is currently collecting clothing for the victims of Chile and Haiti, and is asking others in the apparel industry to step up and donate.

"We can't say enough about the strong commitments the apparel industry have already made to our new division in such a short amount of time," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. "With more than 300,000 pieces pledged, their donations will help clothe not only victims of natural disasters like those in Haiti and Chile, but children all over the world who live in extreme poverty. Now we're asking all apparel companies and manufacturers to recognize the need in Chile and help us in our relief efforts."

"Being reminded of how fragile our world is, and seeing the devastation that has affected so many, makes it evident that our continued partnership with charities like Soles4Souls is more relevant than ever," said Hugh Gaither, President of Feetures!.

The country of Chile was devastated last week by the earthquake with nearly 1,000 deaths already confirmed, and millions of people without water or electricity. This comes almost seven weeks after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the capital of Haiti, where Soles4Souls has committed more than 1.3 million pairs of shoes and other supplies. More than 230,000 people were killed in Haiti and more than 1 million are still homeless.

For more information about the Clothes4Souls division and ways to help the people of Chile please visit www.clothes4souls.org.

About Soles4Souls®

Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. The charity distributes these shoes free of charge to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 7 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently donating one pair every 9 seconds). The shoes have been distributed to people in over 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States. Soles4Souls has been featured in Runner's World, Ladies' Home Journal, National Geographic's Green Guide and The New York Times. It has appeared on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, BBC, CNN and thousands of regional news outlets across North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Anyone can join our cause, and we need your help. Visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.

Introducing Clothes4Souls™

Soles4Souls is proud to announce the launch of their new division, Clothes4Souls. We strive to increase dignity and hope for hurting people through the gift of new clothing from manufacturers, designers, and retailers. Those who graciously donate (rather than destroy) unused inventory will be assured the clothes will be given to people around the world living in desperate need. Visit www.clothes4souls.org for more information.

SOURCE Soles4Souls