Soles4Souls®, the Shoe Charity and Shoe Carnival Partner for Haitian Relief Efforts
NASHVILLE, TN./EVANSVILLE, IN. (January 18, 2010) - Soles4Souls (www.giveshoes.org) and Shoe Carnival have joined forces to provide shoes and other aid to victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
As part of its ongoing partnership with Soles4Souls, Shoe Carnival will raise funds to support the donation of more than 100,000 pairs of shoes as well as other necessities, including food, bottled water, medical supplies and baby products, to affected areas. Beginning January 15, customers at Shoe Carnival's more than 300 stores will have the opportunity make a contribution during checkout, which will directly support relief efforts.
Soles4Souls has partnered with Operation Compassion, a charity that mobilizes support for victims of natural disasters around the world, to transport and distribute the aid. Thirty containers of supplies, including work boots, rain boots, children's athletic shoes and clothing items, are already en route to Haiti.
"As we struggle to comprehend the magnitude of this disaster, we cannot forget how important basic necessities - such as shoes - will be in the ongoing rescue and rebuilding efforts," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. "We deeply appreciate the support of Shoe Carnival and their customers in helping us provide shoes and other essential items to survivors and volunteers as they work in horrific conditions."
The death toll from Tuesday's quake continues to rise, and survivors and rescuers are facing dire health conditions including stifling heat, lack of clean water, broken glass and raw sewage.
"We feel the deepest compassion for the survivors in Haiti as they begin to rebuild their lives and communities," said Todd Beurman, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Shoe Carnival. "That is why we want to help in any way we can to ensure the people of Haiti are able to get back on their feet in these very difficult times."
For more information on how to get involved and donate to the victims in Haiti, 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). The shoes have been distributed in 125 countries, including Haiti, Kenya, Nepal and the United States. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages.
About Shoe Carnival
Shoe Carnival is a chain of more than 300 footwear stores located in the Midwest, South and Southeast. Combining value pricing with an entertaining store format, Shoe Carnival is a leading retailer of name brand and private label footwear for the entire family. Headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, Shoe Carnival trades on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the symbol SCVL. Visit www.shoecarnival.com for more information.