Allen Edmonds again partners Soles4Souls for social cause

12 Mar '14

2 min read

Allen Edmonds, the U.S.-based manufacturer of premium men's footwear and accessories, announced that it will again partner with Soles4Souls Inc., a not-for-profit social enterprise that advances the fight against poverty through the distribution of shoes and clothing around the world. The two will partner in a national shoe drive through March 16.

Joining Allen Edmonds this year are more than 150 U.S. retailers in one of the largest, most streamlined efforts to help Soles4Souls provide shoes to individuals in need across the world. To date, Allen Edmonds with the help of its loyal customers has donated over 70,000 shoes to the Soles4Souls mission. This year, Allen Edmonds has a goal to collect 12,000 pairs of shoes, a total that would surpass all of the brand's previous goals.

Soles4Souls -- which holds the highest rating from nonprofit watchdog Charity Navigator -- will convert every used pair of shoes collected by Allen Edmonds into a value-added social currency to achieve positive change, both humanitarian and economic. Most of the reusable shoes will be distributed to microenterprise programs that create jobs in Haiti and other poor nations.

The resulting revenue will help fund the free distribution of new shoes in the U.S. and overseas. Among its relief programs, the organization has distributed over 50,000 new pairs of shoes to help Philippine victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

"Soles4Souls captivates the hearts and souls of our customers year after year," said Paul Grangaard, President and CEO of Allen Edmonds. "We're continually moved by how deeply people care for this mission, and we're looking forward to amplifying our program's impact this year."

Retailers Serve as Local Shoe Depositories

Allen Edmonds retail and outlet stores, both physical and online, and select Allen Edmonds dealers are collecting shoes donated by customers for shipment to Soles4Souls. As a thank you, customers receive a Allen Edmonds gift card redeemable in store, online and at participating retailers. No purchase is necessary to donate shoes so consumers are encouraged to clean out their closets and donate a pair of the estimated 300 million pairs of shoes that lay idle in American closets.

Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

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