Kids gifted with a day of free shoe shopping in partnership with The Foster Alliance

PHOENIX (March 27, 2024) —  In a continued effort to support Arizona children in foster care, the Arizona Lottery is funding a day of free shoe shopping for 100 children with their foster families in the Valley in partnership with Soles 2 Souls, The Foster Alliance, and Phoenix Premium Outlets. 

Through an ongoing $25,000 partnership with Soles 2 Souls, the Arizona Lottery will invite foster children with The Foster Alliance to this impactful event on April 6th, where Famous Footwear at Phoenix Premium Outlets will host children and their foster families to shop for new pairs of shoes.

“Our goal at The Foster Alliance is to ensure every child on a foster care journey thrives, always,” shared Bethany Eggleston, vice president of development and marketing at The Foster Alliance. “For any child, but especially foster children, it is so important to have shoes that fit not only their feet but their personality. Events like these help them feel like themselves, not just ‘a foster kid.’”  

The Foster Alliance is Arizona’s largest provider of essentials to foster families in the state. The organization offers clothes, shoes, diapers, back-to-school supplies, beds, birthday bags and more. Through its mobile unit program, and events like these, The Foster Alliance can reach and support foster families throughout the state. 

"We're thrilled to host this remarkable event at Famous Footwear, located within the Phoenix Premium Outlets," said Vanessa Melendez, Area Director of Marketing and Business Development at Phoenix Premium Outlets. "Having the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children from the Foster Alliance is truly rewarding."

This joint collaboration underscores the commitment of the Arizona Lottery and Soles to Souls to make a tangible difference in the lives of Arizonans. Famous Footwear will provide a welcoming environment for foster families to select new pairs of shoes for their children and has offered the Arizona Lottery a 20% discount, further enhancing the impact of the event.

"The Arizona Lottery is deeply committed to supporting the well-being of Arizona's youth," stated Alec Esteban Thomson, CEO of the Arizona Lottery. "Through our continued partnership with Soles 2 Souls, we are proud to play a part in providing children with the foundation they need to step confidently into their futures."

The Arizona Lottery has a longstanding commitment to support programs that benefit the public, including those that support children in foster care. To date, the Arizona Lottery has raised $90.4 million from ticket sales to advocate for and protect a child’s right to be safe, to be treated with dignity and respect, and to learn and grow in the security of a loving family. 

By responsibly maximizing revenue, the Lottery ensures that its contributions have a positive and lasting impact on the community. In the 2023 fiscal year, the Arizona Lottery transferred more than $318 million to several important programs in higher education, environmental conservation, economic development, and health and human services that would otherwise rely on tax dollars for their funding.

Alec Bansal, Co-Executive Director of Soles 2 Souls, shared, “We are excited to team up with the Foster Alliance once again to provide more fresh sneakers that these kids feel comfortable and confident wearing! Our organization is beyond grateful for the Arizona Lottery’s generous financial support, in addition to the time and effort that will be volunteered by our Brophy peers to shop with our new friends.” 

Soles 2 Souls is a non-profit organization that aims to provide quality shoes to Arizonans who have limited access to essential resources. Founded in 2021 by two Phoenix teenagers, Soles 2 Souls has given several hundred pairs of new shoes to people experiencing homelessness, children in foster care, and others.

For more information on the Arizona Lottery's initiatives for the public benefit, please visit www.ArizonaLottery.com/GivesBack.

To learn more about Soles 2 Souls, or to donate, please visit www.soles2souls.com. To learn more about The Foster Alliance, or to become a #FosterAlly, please visit https://thefosteralliance.org/