Clothes4Souls™ Asks Public to Join Their Response to Japanese Tsunami Victims By Donating Apparel

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Clothes4Souls, the apparel division of Soles4Souls, is offering individuals looking to assist the victims of the devastating 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last week an opportunity to help.  Individuals, churches, civic groups, schools, retailers and manufacturers can support Clothes4Souls relief efforts by visiting www.giveclothes.org and donating new or gently worn apparel or excess product to the charity.

The effects of the quake have proven to be the most catastrophic in Japan's history, with more than 10,000 estimated dead and thousands of others missing.  Clothes4Souls,  which was founded after the 2010 Haitian earthquake, has continued to respond to natural disasters like the one in Japan with clothing to victims who lost all of their belongings and are struggling to cope with the aftermath.  With a proven response system in place, victims like those in Japan are provided clothing that will offer hope during and after the rebuilding efforts.  Clothes4Souls has distributed over one million pieces of clothing since its inception.

"The support we have already received from our partners in the apparel industry and the general public has been moving," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Clothes4Souls. "As with other natural disasters, like the earthquake in Haiti that prompted the creation of Clothes4Souls, our goal is to provide clothing to individuals who lost everything and offer them a little bit of hope for the future.  We are fully prepared with a response system, so individuals hoping to do their part, can help by supporting our efforts," he added.

The charity has kept a close eye on the unfolding response from the U.S. and other countries, and realizes that Japan could get hit by another earthquake in the days to follow.  The aid response will mirror the need as it unfurls.

For more information on how to get involved and donate to the victims in Southeast Asia, visit www.giveclothes.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 or www.clothes4souls.org for more information.

SOURCE Clothes4Souls