Stride Rite Expands Partnership With Soles4Souls During Back-to-School Season

Stride Rite Expands Partnership With Soles4Souls During Back-to-School Season

Stride Rite, built for childhood since 1919, today announced its continued commitment to help families in need with the donation of new and used shoes through longtime non-profit partner, Soles4Souls. Millions of children across the world are unable to attend school and are more susceptible to illnesses because they don’t have access to shoes. As moms and dads across the country prepare their little ones for an exciting new school year, Stride Rite will help Soles4Souls get families in need the shoes required for their children to attend school.

Customers can help Stride Rite reach its goal of also donating up to $100,000 to Soles4Souls this back-to-school season. Stride Rite will donate 1 percent of its net profit on the sale of shoes to consumers now through September 5, 2016.*

“At Stride Rite we’re parents first and foremost and we believe every child deserves a pair of good shoes,” said Gillian Meek, senior vice president, product & marketing, Stride Rite. “We’re committed to the mission of Soles4Souls and our extended partnership will allow us to help give kids the proper footwear they need to take advantage of all the opportunities an education can provide.”

“Stride Rite is the perfect partner,” said Buddy Teaster, Soles4Souls President and CEO. “We help them connect with moms and kids, involve Stride Rite employees and keep shoes out of landfills. We’re able to be a part of the entire Stride Rite ecosystem. Add in Stride Rite’s commitment to children and the positive impact they’re having on kids in the US and around the world. Stride Rite is a shining example of how a company makes a difference.”

Stride Rite is also offering customers a can’t-miss BOGO sale on new shoes for the year ahead. In-store and online through September 5, 2016, buy one pair of shoes and get one 40 percent off, on select styles. In addition, families can give back by bringing a new or used pair of shoes to a Stride Rite store and drop them in the Soles4Souls donation bin. As a thanks, they will receive 5 percent off a new pair of shoes on the same visit. Find your local store here.

In developed nations such as the United States or Canada, one in five children live below the national poverty line. When Soles4Souls provides a pair of shoes, they are helping bridge the economic gap. Since 2014, Stride Rite has collected and donated 226,873 shoes to Soles4Souls for distribution globally.

For more information on Stride Rite and to locate the store nearest you, please visit www.striderite.com. To learn more about Soles4Souls and how you can get involved in the fight against poverty, visit www.soles4souls.org.

*Stride Rite will donate 1% of its net profit on the sale of footwear to consumers from July 28, 2016 through September 5, 2016. Stride Rite’s donations will average approximately $0.15 per pair of shoes sold to consumers and the minimum donation amount per pair sold to consumers will be $0.01. The total donation amount will not be less than $50,000 and the maximum total donation amount is up to $100,000.

About Stride Rite
Founded in 1919, Stride Rite combines heritage and knowledge, steeped in nearly 100 years in children’s footwear, with a modern-day understanding of kids’ every day adventures. Inspired by real life, Stride Rite prides itself on making great looking, high quality footwear, building strong consumer relationships and providing families with the best shopping experience in the industry. Powered by a team of dedicated kid experts, who are also devoted parents, Stride Rite is truly Built for Childhood™. Stride Rite is a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. For additional information, please visit our website, www.striderite.com.

About Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
With a commitment to service and product excellence, Wolverine World Wide, Inc. is one of the world’s leading marketers of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport, athletic, children’s and uniform footwear and apparel. The Company’s portfolio of highly recognized brands includes: Merrell®, Sperry®, Hush Puppies®, Saucony®, Wolverine®, Keds®, Stride Rite®, Sebago®, Chaco®, Bates®, HYTEST®, and Soft Style®. The Company also is the global footwear licensee of the popular brands Cat® and Harley-Davidson®. The Company’s products are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally in approximately 200 countries and territories. For additional information, please visit our website, www.wolverineworldwide.com.

About Soles4Souls®
Soles4Souls is a not for profit global social enterprise committed to fighting poverty through the collection and distribution of shoes and clothing. The organization advances its anti-poverty mission by collecting new and used shoes and clothes 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. Visit www.soles4souls.org for more information.