TOPEKA, Kan., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Leading family footwear retailer, Payless ShoeSource, announced today that 630 nonprofit partners located in small towns, mid-size and large cities and rural areas representing 50 states and the District of Columbia have been chosen for its Payless Gives Shoes 4 Kids program, a national, grass roots campaign aimed at delivering $1 million of shoes to American children of families in need.

Payless is giving nearly 67,000 $15 gift coupons redeemable through Jan. 31, 2009, towards a new pair of kids' shoes at any of the more than 3,600 stores across the United States*.

Nonprofit partners chosen from the Minneapolis - St. Paul area include People Serving People Inc. Charities, Women's Advocates Inc., Simpson Housing Services Inc., and Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency (MVNA).

Payless said that all partners should receive their gift coupons packages today along with a personal letter from Matthew E. Rubel, chairman and chief executive officer of Collective Brands, Inc., which owns Payless, with a special request to get the coupons into the hands of the children that need them in time for the holidays. The quantity of gift coupons per agency was based on agency size and the number of constituents served. Packages landing today include as many as 200 coupons for some agencies. Many agencies will also provide transportation for group shopping trips to the local Payless stores.

"Kids will start shopping today for their free shoes," said Rubel. "A great pair of shoes can lift spirits, bolster self confidence and bring a huge smile to a child's face. The recipient children can actually select their own shoes -- which will be an even more inspiring experience for them. Together, with our partners, we are thrilled to deliver a true gift to so many families this holiday season."

Payless initiated the new program in response to the economic crisis, its impact on the underprivileged, the significant need across the United States for children's shoes, and to support smaller, localized nonprofits with a tool to assist them in helping those in need this holiday season.

The company launched the program on Nov. 11 with a call to action to the non-profit community to apply to be partners in the national shoe-gifting campaign with an aim to build a network of localized organizations across the nation for immediate, direct access to kids in need. In a 10-day application period, the retailer received more than 2,500 applicants at its application website http://www.paylessgives.com and inquiries from more than 3,000 U.S. cities nationwide. The application period is now closed.

"We were overwhelmed by the response from the non-profit community to join us in this important effort -- to give a free pair of shoes to children in need this holiday season," said Rubel. "Our intent is to work with and through a diverse network of localized non-profits that have direct and immediate access to the children. Our chosen partners -- 630 in all -- represent every state and a diverse group of non-profits located in small towns, mid-sized and large cities, as well as rural areas so that we can blanket the nation and most effectively reach those in need."

Greater Horizons of Kansas City, also a nonprofit, served as the independent third-party to manage the selection process based on Payless' core selection criteria, which included IRC 501(c) (3) status, filing form 990, and direct access to underprivileged children in local communities during December.

For a complete list of the 630 Payless Gives Shoes 4 Kids partners by state and city, please go to http://www.paylessgives.com. Included will be organization name with a link to its website.

About Payless

Payless ShoeSource, Inc., a unit of Collective Brands, Inc., is the largest specialty family footwear retailer in the Western Hemisphere and is dedicated to democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories and inspiring fun, fashion possibilities for the family at a great value. As of the end of third quarter 2008, the company operated more than 4,500 stores. In addition, customers can buy shoes over the Internet through Payless.com(R) at http://www.payless.com.

Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS) is a leader in bringing compelling lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related accessories to consumers worldwide. The company operates three strategic units covering a powerful brand portfolio, as well as multiple price points and selling channels including retail, wholesale, ecommerce and licensing. Collective Brands, Inc. includes Payless ShoeSource, focused on democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories through its more than 4,500-store retail chain, with its brands American Eagle(TM), Airwalk(R), Dexter(R), Champion(R) and designer collections Abaete for Payless, Lela Rose for Payless and alice + olivia for Payless, among others; Stride Rite, focused on lifestyle and athletic branded footwear and high-quality children's footwear sold primarily through wholesaling, with its brands including Stride Rite(R), Keds(R), Sperry Top-Sider(R), Robeez(R), and Saucony(R), among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit, with such youth lifestyle brands as Airwalk(R), Vision Street Wear(R), Sims(R), Lamar(R) and LTD(R), World Snowboarding Championships(TM), Sugarboards(R), Carve(R), genetic(R), Dukes(TM), Rage(R), Ultra-Wheels(R), and Skate Attack(R) brands. Information about, and links for shopping on, each of the Collective Brand's units can be found at http://www.collectivebrands.com.

About Greater Horizons

Greater Horizons helps donors across the entire Kansas and Missouri region connect with local and national charitable causes and encourages donors, no matter where they live, to reconnect with causes in their hometown.

* Excluding Payless stores located in Shopko stores.

SOURCE Payless ShoeSource, Inc.