Soles4Souls Still Working on the Ground in Haiti One Year Later

The shoe charity thanks partners for their continued support

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Jan 12, 2011, 02:47 ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Soles4Souls Inc., the shoe charity, originally committed to 100,000 pairs of shoes for the rebuilding efforts in Haiti after the devastating earthquake destroyed the capital and killed more than 250,000 people. But one year later, thanks to their incredible partners in the footwear industry and individuals across the globe, the charity has provided 1.3 million Haitians with the gift of shoes and the numbers are still increasing.

"Looking back over the past 12 months, our partners have been a steady pillar of support," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO. "From the largest shoe brands to single store owners across the country, each has stepped up to donate new shoes and funds for the Haiti rebuilding efforts," he said.

Elsey says Soles4Souls will not taper their support of the rebuilding efforts because the need is still overwhelming with more than 800,000 Haitians still living in unsanitary conditions in tents and refugee camps. The charity also continues to send small relief groups to Haiti to distribute shoes in the local schools and villages.

"Although we are grateful for the outpouring of support we have received over the past year, there are still Haitians walking through the streets of Port-au-Prince and the slums of Cite Soleil barefoot," Elsey explained. "With the risk of foot born diseases still high, we are committed to ensuring the safety of Haitians as they work to rebuild their country," he added.

For more information on how to get involved with Soles4Souls' efforts in Haiti, visit www.giveshoes.org.

About Soles4Souls® & Clothes4Souls®

Soles4Souls collects, recycles and reuses shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and closets from individuals. We distribute usable shoes to people in need around the world (we recycle less than 2% of donated footwear). Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 13 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 7 seconds). The shoes have been distributed in 125 countries, including Haiti, Kenya, Nepal and the United States.

Clothes4Souls, a new division of Soles4Souls, provides hope for hurting people through the gift of new clothing from manufacturers, designers, and retailers. Those who graciously give (rather than destroy) unused inventory are assured their donations are distributed to people around the world living in desperate need.

Donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Visit www.giveshoes.org <http://www.giveshoes.org> or www.clothes4souls.org <http://www.clothes4souls.org> for more information.

SOURCE Soles4Souls