Stein Mart Expands Nationwide Promotion to Benefit Dignity U Wear

Jan. 11, 2010 - PRLog -- The Dignity U Wear Foundation, the Jacksonville-based, national nonprofit that provides brand new clothing to men, women and children in need, will be the beneficiary of a special, week-long promotional event planned for all 261 Stein Mart stores throughout the country, announced Robert S. Bryan, Jr., Executive Director of Dignity U Wear.

Beginning on Sunday, January 17 and extending through Saturday, January 23, shoppers making a donation of $5 or more to Dignity U Wear will receive 10% off their entire purchase. This is over and above Stein Mart’s already low discounted prices—including sale items.

“We piloted this promotion last year and found that our store associates and customers really enjoyed it,” said Julia Taylor, Director of the Stein Mart Boutique Program and corporate coordinator of the DUW relationship at the Jacksonville-based, national retailer. “This year we are expanding the promotion from two days to a full week to give our customers more opportunity to support our signature charity.  It is a powerful way for us to serve each community where we do business.” Stein Mart raised more than $155,000 for DUW with the same promotion in May of 2009.

This year, Stein Mart has added a new opportunity to the event.  Shoppers will be able to donate $10 to Dignity U Wear in advance of "Help Us Help Others" by accessing a web site through www.dignityuwear.org.  When they do they will receive three coupons for the 10% off offer.  This will allow them to either shop multiple times with the discount or share the shopping experience with friends.

“Dignity U Wear (DUW) enjoys a unique philanthropic partnership with Stein Mart.  Stein Mart’s active support has been largely responsible for our achievement of distributing $112 million worth of new clothing in less than ten years,” said Bryan. “Each Stein Mart store not only raises money for DUW they also partner with us to identify social service agencies in their market to receive the new clothing. It’s an innovative model in which all parties benefit.”

Since 2003, Stein Mart has raised approximately $2.5 million to help fund Dignity U Wear. The funds raised January 17 through 23 will help Dignity U Wear to meet the growing demand for new clothing that improves self-esteem, fosters better school performance, helps adults with job placement and helps parents take better care of their families. Dignity U Wear distributes brand new clothing it receives from manufacturers and retailers through a network of nonprofit social service agencies throughout the United States. Dignity U Wear specializes in receiving, warehousing and distributing brand new clothing to people in need at absolutely no cost to them. Since it was founded in 2000, the organization has provided more than 6.6 million pieces, valued at $112million, to more than 435,000 people. For more information, visit www.dignityuwear.org.

Founded by the current chairman's grandfather just after the turn of the 20th century, the Stein Mart concept has evolved into a nationwide network of easy-to-access freestanding stores. Merchandise includes current-season, brand-name fashions for women and men; accessories; home decor; linens; and shoes, all at prices 20% to 60% below department stores and specialty shops. Merchandise is updated frequently and limited inventories of each item are supplied per store to assure variety and a unique shopping experience. For more information, visit www.steinmart.com.