Soma Intimates: Making a Difference - One Bra at a Time

NEW YORK, July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Soma Intimates announces its next 'Giving is Beautiful' Bra Donation.  The nationwide charitable initiative to collect bras for women in need is the largest of its kind.  With over 265,000 bras collected to-date, the scale and scope of the project is a testament to Soma Intimates and the Soma customers' dedication to making a difference in women's lives.  Starting today and continuing through August 12th, 2012, the company will accept both new and gently worn bras at all Soma boutiques across the country.

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"A bra is one of the least donated, but most in-demand items for women in need.  When we learned that there are thousands of women going without an item that most of us consider part of our daily routine, we knew we had to do something," states Laurie Van Brunt, Soma Intimates' Brand President.  "At Soma, we believe that no woman should have to make the decision between putting food on the table and buying a bra.  The simple act of donating a bra helps these women to focus on rebuilding and recovering from the hardships of domestic violence.  Over 4 million women in the U.S. need the assistance of a shelter annually and many come with only the clothes on their backs."

Soma's bra donation initiative is national in scope but local in nature - directly impacting communities where the bras are donated.  Each of Soma Intimates' 192 boutiques and outlets will work with a local women's shelter to help women in need in that area.

This year, to help raise awareness about domestic violence Soma will once again partner with the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV).  The NNEDV is the leading voice for survivors of domestic violence.  Representing over 2,000 shelter programs across 56 state and territory coalitions throughout the United States, the NNEDV continues to be a vital partner to help spread the word and make a difference in women's lives.

"NNEDV" is thrilled to partner with Soma Intimates on its next 'Giving is Beautiful' Bra Donation," said Sue Else, President, NNEDV. "Together we can make a difference in women's lives, help close the gap on the lack of bras available in shelters and raise awareness to work toward ending domestic violence."

First launched in July 2010, this marks the fifth biannual bra donation initiative for Soma Intimates.  To-date, Soma has collected over 265,000 bras to help women in need across the country.

"We are honored to kick off our July 2012 bra donation with NNEDV as our partner.  Giving really is beautiful, and we're thankful to them and all of our customers who are coming together to support local women in need," says Van Brunt of Soma Intimates.  "We are incredibly proud of the over a quarter of a million bras we have collected to date.  But this is only the beginning.  Our continued partnership with NNEDV will allow us to raise the bar even higher as we move forward and build awareness."

For more information about the Soma Intimates 'Giving is Beautiful' Bra Donation event, please visit www.soma.com/givebras or contact Melanie Cohen-Nathan: [email protected], (212) 524-6323.

About Soma Intimates:

Soma Intimates, a division of Chico's FAS, Inc. (NYSE: CHS), is the home of beautiful lingerie, loungewear and beauty products.  Home of the warmest personal service, Soma embraces women with luxuriously soft fabrics, innovative fashion and an always perfect fit.  As of July 9th, 2012, Soma Intimates will operate 192 boutiques and outlets across the country as well as a website at www.soma.com.

About NNEDV: 

NNEDV, a 501(c)(3) organization, is a leading voice for domestic and sexual violence victims and their allies.  Its members include the 56 statewide and territorial coalitions against domestic violence.  It works closely with them to understand the needs of domestic violence victims and advocacy programs.  NNEDV has been a premiere national organization advancing the movement against domestic violence for over 15 years, after leading efforts among domestic violence victim advocates and survivors in urging Congress to pass the landmark Violence Against Women Act of 1994.  To learn more about NNEDV, please visit www.nnedv.org.

SOURCE Soma Intimates