Finish Line Mobilizes to Assist Haitian Earthquake Survivors

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In response to the catastrophic earthquake that struck Haiti last week, The Finish Line (Nasdaq: FINL), the Finish Line Youth Foundation, its customers, employees and charitable partners are mobilizing to lend support to the many victims of this tragedy.

Finish Line began collecting monetary donations on January 7, 2010 in its stores and at www.finishline.com for Samaritan's Feet, a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to providing shoes for impoverished children around the world. In response to this catastrophe, Samaritan's Feet will redirect $50,000 from the current collection drive to help distribute shoes specifically for the people of Haiti.

The Finish Line Youth Foundation will, in turn, match monetary donations from customers up to the first $50,000 collected. These funds will be distributed to Action Against Hunger, a global humanitarian organization committed to ending world hunger, in an effort to bring a small measure of comfort to the Haitian people.

Finish Line will also be collecting donations from its more than 12,000 employees. The company, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility Program, will match the relief contributions of its associates up to the first $25,000. Donations from employees also will be distributed to Action Against Hunger to purchase and distribute desperately needed humanitarian supplies.  

Customers can also donate gently used pairs of shoes at any of our retail locations. The donation of shoes is being coordinated with our partners at Soles4Souls, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to impacting as many lives as possible with the gift of shoes. Soles4Souls has pledged to collect 1 million pairs of new and used boots and shoes for Haitian earthquake survivors. Finish Line is pleased to assist Soles4Souls in reaching this goal. In the past two years, Finish Line and its customers have donated approximately 200,000 pairs of shoes to those in need around the world.

"Our employees, customers, vendors and charitable partners have all been moved by the tragic images and stories coming from Haiti," said Glenn Lyon, Finish Line chief executive officer. Lyon continues, "We are eager to do our part to support the relief and rebuilding efforts in Haiti." As Gary Cohen, chief administrative officer and secretary explains, "The needs are so great … especially among the children in Haiti. Consistent with the mission of our Finish Line Youth Foundation, we feel a special responsibility to support organizations like Action Against Hunger that provide essentials like food, clean drinking water and other humanitarian supplies that can make a critical difference in the lives of Haitian children."

About Finish Line

The Finish Line, Inc. is a premium athletic footwear store and one of the nation's largest mall-based specialty retailers, offering a large selection of performance and everyday sport footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and kids. The Finish Line, Inc. is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol FINL. The company operates 679 Finish Line stores in 47 states and offers online shopping at www.finishline.com.

About Finish Line Youth Foundation

The Finish Line Youth Foundation strives to make a difference in the lives of youth in the communities where employees and customers live, work and play. The Youth Foundation funds non-profit organizations that provide opportunities for kids to participate in community-based youth athletic programs and camps that emphasize sports and active lifestyles, especially programs that serve disadvantaged and special needs kids.  For more information about Finish Line or Finish Line Youth Foundation, go to www.finishline.com/youthfoundation.

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger | ACF International is a global humanitarian organization committed to ending world hunger. Recognized as a leader in the fight against malnutrition, ACF works to save the lives of malnourished children while providing communities with sustainable access to safe water and long-term solutions to hunger. With 30 years of expertise in emergency situations of conflict, natural disaster, and chronic food insecurity, ACF runs life-saving programs in some 40 countries benefiting 5 million people each year.

About Samaritan's Feet

Samaritan's Feet, based in Charlotte, NC, is a humanitarian, non-profit relief organization dedicated to taking a life-changing message of hope and equipping the feet of impoverished children in the United States and around the world with shoes. Our focus is on children from United States, Africa, South America and the Caribbean.

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.

SOURCE The Finish Line, Inc.