Soles4Souls, the Shoe Charity Issues Appeal to Churches to Participate in 'Barefoot4Haiti' for Earthquake Victims

One of the fastest growing charities in the world invites faithful to give up footwear during Sundays in April

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Feb 09, 2010, 03:51 ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Soles4Souls Inc, the shoe charity, issued an appeal today to churches across North America to participate in "Barefoot4Haiti," a campaign focused on engaging the faithful to donate gently worn shoes for victims of the January 12 earthquake in Haiti, which killed more than 200,000 people and devastated a country already reeling from natural and man-made disasters.

Starting on Easter Sunday, April 4th, hundreds of church congregations will invite their members to leave their shoes on the altar in order to demonstrate God's love to the hurting people in Haiti. The campaign will continue through May 2nd. Churches interested in joining in on the efforts can visit www.barefoot4haiti.com to sign up.

"Members of the faith-based community have always been supportive of our goals to help people in need," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. "When someone gives up their shoes and goes barefoot for the day, it provides a tangible experience of what many people around the world are forced to endure every single day. In this case, all shoes donated will be given to our friends in Haiti who are struggling to rebuild their shattered country," he said.

David Perez, Lead Pastor of hopepark church in Nashville, said his church community has long supported the shoe charity's goals of engaging the public with unique participation programs. "The people at this church have huge hearts for missions and making a tangible difference in someone's life," Perez said. "Shoes are a simple commodity that we all take for granted, and by donating the shoes right off our feet, we hope to inspire our community to get involved in helping the less fortunate."

For more information on Soles4Souls and its relief partners, visit www.giveshoes.org.

About Soles4Souls®

Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. We distribute these shoes, free of charge, to people in need around the world. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 7 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 9 seconds). Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.

SOURCE Soles4Souls