Soles4Souls, the shoe charity, sees bright future ahead

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Soles4Souls® Inc., the international shoe charity that gives away shoes to people in need, issued a report today that its 2009 donations increased by more than 20% over 2008 levels. Since the Asian tsunami five years ago, the charity has collected and distributed more than 6.4 million pairs of free shoes to people in need. Currently, Soles4Souls distributes one pair of shoes every nine seconds.


"We are humbled by and so thankful for the tremendous support of the general public, footwear professionals and our friends in the entertainment industry who have helped us reach this level of success," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. "Through the hard work and generosity of these partners, we are able to make a real difference in the lives of millions. We are excited to forge forward into 2010 with our goal of giving away one pair of free shoes each second," he said.


In addition to its remarkable growth during 2009, the charity announced recently that it has purchased its own building in the greater Nashville area. Elsey said this move is strategic to reduce overhead expenses while taking advantage of a favorable real estate market. Elsey also noted that the charity is in final discussions to build a state-of-the-art warehouse to further consolidate operations and efficiency.


Despite the rapid growth, Soles4Souls continues to operate on 2.5% administrative costs, making it among the most effective charities in the country. "Our strategy is tight controls and asset management to maximize the results of our rapidly growing charity -- impacting the world one pair at a time," Elsey said.

About Soles4Souls®

Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. The charity distributes these shoes free of charge to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 6 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently donating one pair every 9 seconds.) The shoes have been distributed to people in over 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States. Soles4Souls has been featured in Runner's World, Ladies' Home Journal, National Geographic's Green Guide and The New York Times. It has appeared on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, BBC, CNN and thousands of regional news outlets across North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Anyone can join our cause, and we need your help. Visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.