National Recession Doesn't Stop Largest 22nd Annual Back-to-School Free Clothing Giveaway at Fred Jordan Mission on Skid Row

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of impoverished children on Skid Row receive brand new athletic shoes, clothing & school supplies at the Fred Jordan Mission's 22nd Annual Back-to-School Free Giveaway as part of a unique partnership between Foot Locker and the Mission.  The 22nd Annual Giveaway will be held at the Fred Jordan Mission located at 445 Towne Avenue, Thursday, October 7th, beginning at 9:00am.  

Skid Row's Fifth Street in downtown Los Angeles will be transformed into a huge store, with Foot Locker occupying center stage.  More than 60 Foot Locker associates will be on hand  to ensure that each child is custom-fit with the perfect sized shoes.  For many of these inner city boys and girls, this will be their first pair of new shoes.  Today, Foot Locker will donate athletic shoes and socks to outfit nearly 4,000 children.  

"For more than two decades, Foot Locker has joined the Fred Jordan Mission to donate more than 100,000 pairs of athletic shoes and socks to children in need within the Los Angeles community," said Richard Johnson, President and CEO of Foot Locker U.S.  "We are proud to once again partner with the Fred Jordan Mission on this important Back-to-School Giveaway program."

Nearly 300 caring volunteers will join the volunteer team of Foot Locker associates to distribute new clothing, back packs, school supplies, hygiene products, give haircuts and provide lunch to poor and needy children from the inner city area and from around the Southland.  While most children have the option of shopping at local retailers for back to school shoes, clothes, and supplies, underprivileged children do not have that option.  However, for the past 22 years, these children and families know they can count on Fred Jordan Mission & Foot Locker to help provide these critical school supplies, so they can go back to school "dressed to learn."    

More than 120,000 children and their families have been given help and hope through the Mission's legendary Back-to-School Giveaway. Joining Foot Locker with charitable contributions are companies like, In-N-Out Burger; KIDS; Avery Dennison; Wal-Mart; Lucky Brand; Edgewood Press; Barbara Walden; Shelter Partnership; Phillips, Lerner, Lauzon & Jamara, LLP; Xpress Supplies; Early, Maslach & Van Dueck; Allen Schwartz; Fargo Logistics, Unilever, Reo Backpacks and Kids Kaps With Love.

"Fred Jordan Mission has been here for over 65 years feeding, clothing and housing thousands of homeless and hurting children, men and women," said Willie Jordan, president of Fred Jordan Mission.  "We are deeply grateful that Foot Locker is returning for their 22nd year, showing that they care about the communities they serve, with their donation of thousands of pairs of shoes and socks every year."  

However, there is a real emergency here on Skid Row!  Donations to the Mission from other companies, as well as from individual donors, have dropped by nearly 40% in the past year - - while at the same time, more struggling families have turned to the Mission for help.

Hungry, impoverished families need food, clothing and blankets to care for the tiniest victims of this national recession - - the children.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, the Mission is asking charitable people of good will to donate food, clothes, toys, or a blanket for cold winter nights.  Cash donations are also welcome - - and tax-deductible.

One in five children goes to bed hungry in Los Angeles.  Will YOU make a difference in the life of just one?

PLEASE PHONE: 1-626-915-1981 to donate.

GIVE ONLINE: www.fjm.org  

PO BOX 12345, Covina, CA 91722.

Major Credit Cards gratefully accepted. Donations are tax deductible.

The Fred Jordan Mission, open 365 days a year since 1944, feeds hundreds of hungry people and provides assistance to impoverished individuals and families.  The Mission is a non-profit, faith-based, educational and relief organization that focuses on education, job training, and self-reliance.  

Foot Locker, Inc., operates approximately 3,500 athletic specialty retail stores in 21 countries in North America, Europe and Australia.  Through its Foot Locker, Footaction, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker and Champs Sports retail stores, as well as its direct-to-customer channel Footlocker.com/Eastbay, the Company is the leading provider of athletic footwear and apparel.

SOURCE Fred Jordan Mission