Soles4Souls Pushes Limits in 2011, Sets Goal To Distribute 11 Million Pairs of Shoes

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Soles4Souls Inc., the international shoe charity dedicated to providing free footwear to people in need, officially launches their 11 IN 11 campaign today.  The charity's new initiative is an aggressive goal for the New Year, but CEO Wayne Elsey explains that it is necessary to meet the ever-growing needs of the global community.

"We have distributed 12 million pairs of shoes in just over 6 years. That gives a little perspective on how audacious our goal of 11 million pairs of shoes in one year really is," said Elsey. "But with earthquakes in countries like Haiti and Chile, on top of the enormous needs elsewhere, we really believe that our partners are going to rise to the challenge," he added.

To help encourage participants to help with the campaign by cleaning out their closets or hosting a shoe collection in their area, Soles4Souls is offering discounted shipping rates to their four warehouse locations in Iowa, Las Vegas, Nashville and Roanoke, Alabama.  

The shoe charity will also feature their top participants on their website so individuals can keep track of the top participants and their progress.  Soles4Souls is offering several different ways for organizations and individuals to get involved, no matter the size.  For more information on how to sign up for a shoe drive or help Soles4Souls reach their goal of 11 million pairs visit www.giveshoes.org and click on 'get involved.'

"We want this year to be the year of our extreme participants," said Elsey. "They're out there because we hear from them every day. They are the 13 year olds who collect thousands of shoes in their neighborhoods, or the moms who drive thousands of miles to drop off their shoes at our facilities.  The need is great, but so are our partners, so we need them to help Soles4Souls get a little crazy this year."

Partners like SKECHERS are also extending their support by committing more than 1 million pairs of shoes to the charity through their BOBS shoe line.  For every pair of BOBS purchased, SKECHERS will donate 2 pairs to Soles4Souls.

About Soles4Souls® & Clothes4Souls®

Soles4Souls collects, recycles and reuses shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of individuals like you. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 13 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 7 seconds) to people 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 Soles4Souls