Clothes4Souls, a division of the international anti-poverty nonprofit Soles4Souls Inc., today announced a fall coat and boot drive in partnership with Gander Mountain, the nation's largest retail network of outdoor specialty stores for hunting, fishing, camping, marine and outdoor lifestyle products All Gander Mountain retail stores will collect gently used coats and boots November 15-27.
Gander Mountain stores will reward customers who donate their old coats or boots with a gift card in exchange for purchases of new coats, boots and cold weather accessories. Please see your local Gander Mountain store for details.
"Gander Mountain is happy to once again partner with Soles4Souls and Clothes4Souls in the important work they do, supplying shoes and coats to those in need," said Steve Uline, Gander Mountain's executive vice president of marketing. "With colder weather on the way, this is the perfect time for an effort like this one, which will mean warm footwear and outerwear for those who might otherwise be lacking."
A lack of adequate footwear and clothing has always had a close relationship with the enormous personal and social costs of global poverty. Experts estimate that approximately 400 million children worldwide - almost as many as the entire U.S. population - live in poverty. Millions of these children will grow up never having had a pair of shoes or adequate warm clothing, resulting in significant ramifications for their health and well-being. Lacking proper footwear and clothing, countless children will not be able or permitted to attend school. And tens of millions of these poverty-stricken, boys and girls will be more susceptible to illness. To date, Soles4Souls has donated items across 127 countries. The coats and boots collected from this event will directly further that impact.
"We deeply appreciate this commitment by Gander Mountain and its customers," said Buddy Teaster, CEO of Soles4Souls. "As the colder months approach, we know the demand for boots and coats for the needy will increase. Thank you Gander Mountain, for recognizing this need and working with us to meet it."
About Soles4Souls and Clothes4Souls®
Soles4Souls, Inc. is a global not-for-profit institution dedicated to fighting the devastating impact and perpetuation of poverty. The organization advances its anti-poverty mission by collecting new and used shoes through Soles4Souls and clothing from Clothes4Souls, from individuals, schools, faith based institutions, civic organizations and corporate partners, then distributing those shoes and clothes both via direct donations to people in need and by provisioning qualified micro-enterprise programs designed to create jobs in poor and disadvantaged communities. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Soles4Souls is committed to the highest standards of operating and governance, and holds a four-star rating with Charity Navigator. Please visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.
About Gander Mountain Company
Gander Mountain Company headquartered in St. Paul, MN, is the nation's largest retail network of outdoor specialty stores for hunting, fishing, camping, marine and outdoor lifestyle products and services. Since 1960, Gander Mountain has offered the best selection of outdoor equipment, technical apparel, active casual wear, and footwear featuring national, regional and specialty brands at competitive prices. Focused on a "We Live Outdoors®" culture, Gander Mountain dedicates itself to creating outdoor memories. Gander Mountain has 131 conveniently-located outdoor lifestyle stores in 24 states. For the nearest store location call 800-282-5993 or visit www.GanderMountain.com Gander Mountain is also the parent company of Overton's (www.overtons.com), a leading catalog and Internet based retailer of products for boating and other water sports enthusiasts
