INDUSTRY NEWS

TOPEKA, Kan.—Payless ShoeSource will hold its Payless Gives Shoes 4 Kids program again this year with the goal of aimed at delivering more than $1.2 million worth of free children's shoes to children in need this holiday season. The program will also go international this year, focusing on countries where the majority of Payless’ more than 4,500 stores are located. Payless will give more than 77,000 gift coupons redeemable through Feb. 28, 2010, toward a new pair of kids' shoes at any of its stores located in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and in 10 Latin American countries including the Dominican Republic, Trinidad & Tobago, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, Honduras, Nicaragua and Colombia.

"In America the economy appears to be on the mend, but times are still difficult on Main Street and the economic challenges are rippling across the globe," said Matthew E. Rubel, Chairman and CEO of Collective Brands, Inc., which owns Payless ShoeSource. "Footwear is a basic need that many of us take for granted, and yet a significant number of children need shoes. In a difficult economy, the underprivileged are hurt more than any other group and the charities that assist them are often underfunded."

Non-profit organizations based in the United States and Canada interested in joining Payless in its Payless Gives Shoes 4 Kids program can apply at www.paylessgives.com by completing a short online application. Core selection criteria includes a mission to serve children and families in the local area, direct access to underprivileged children in local communities to distribute the coupons by Dec. 24, and close proximity to Payless stores. The application process for non-profit partners of the Payless Gives Shoes 4 Kids program ends Oct. 30.

Charity partners in Puerto Rico and the Latin American countries will be selected in-country through a separate process.

"A great pair of shoes can lift spirits, bolster self esteem and, as we witnessed first-hand when we launched the program last year, bring a huge smile to a child's face," said LuAnn Via, CEO of Payless. "We are thrilled to expand this important holiday giving campaign to the majority of our store chain and to reach deeper into the communities in which we operate to give this holiday gift to children. We hope to take one concern off parents' plates for tens of thousands of families this holiday season."

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