Kinder Soles, Raleigh-based maker of “buy-one, give-one” flip-flops, is throwing a launch party in downtown Raleigh this Thursday at Tir Na Nog Irish Pub & Restaurant from 6-9 p.m. The event supports Soles4Souls, the company’s charitable partner, with a shoe drive and percentage of proceeds from sales at the event.

WHEN:      Thursday, May 20, from 6p.m.-9 p.m.

WHERE:   Tir Na Nog Irish Pub & Restaurant
                           218 South Blount Street
                           Raleigh, NC 27601

Big Fat Gap, the popular back-porch bluegrass band, will play live music and Green Planet, which features locally grown, pesticide and hormone free foods, will cater the event. Local artists are also contributing pieces that demonstrate and raise awareness about the shoe shortage movement for silent auction to benefit Soles4Souls. The event is free and guests are encouraged to bring a pair of gently-worn shoes for donation to receive $20 toward the purchase of Kinder Soles sandals.

Americans throw away at least 300 million pairs of shoes each year that end up rotting in our own landfills, while an estimated 300 million children around the world have never owned a pair of shoes. Each pair of Kinder Soles sold offers a significant rebate for donating a pair of shoes sitting idle in your closet.

Kinder Soles, co-founded by Mark Saad and Chris Smith, is a socially-responsible designer of healthy and eco-friendly flip-flops. The company promotes social responsibility through a donation rebate business model: buy-one, give-one. Kinder Soles has partnered with Soles4Souls to provide gently used shoes to people in need both domestically and internationally.  Kinder Soles are made from recycled materials and have foot beds ergonomically designed to give better support.