Donation to CASS will provide reliable footwear for safer pedestrian travel during summer

PHOENIX (May 15, 2024) —  In a continued effort to support those experiencing homelessness, the Arizona Lottery is providing 500 new pairs of shoes for Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) clients in partnership with Soles 2 Souls, a teen-led non-profit that provides quality shoes to support safer pedestrian travel, especially during the summer.

Through an ongoing partnership with Soles 2 Souls, the Arizona Lottery has committed $25,000 to provide a substantial supply of shoes to non-profit organizations in the Valley. This contribution will be showcased at an impactful donation event to CASS on May 21, where state agencies will share their commitment to mitigating heat-related illness and injury in Arizona. 

“In 2023 our community lost 190 homeless individuals due to heat related deaths and 645 throughout our county. These are our neighbors and together we must continue to engage on a systematic scale to protect our vulnerable clients,” said CASS Interim CEO, Philip Scharf. “Access to heat relief essentials is health. We are incredibly grateful to Soles 2 Souls for their commitment to our community and to the Arizona Lottery for investing in this partnership.”

CASS is Arizona’s largest and longest-serving emergency shelter program serving people experiencing homelessness for more than forty years. Their Single Adult Shelter and family shelters operate at full capacity 24/7, 365 days a year. Serving the entire Phoenix metropolitan area, CASS is a regional solution to homelessness, working to fill service gaps and help thousands of people transform their lives by providing safe emergency shelter. 

“Access to resources is essential to prevent heat-related illnesses and injuries among the homeless,” said Dr. Eugene Livar, Chief Heat Officer. “The pavement retains heat even after the sun goes down. It is important that everyone has shoes when walking outside to prevent severe burns.” 

This joint collaboration underscores the commitment of the Arizona Lottery and Soles 2 Souls to make a tangible difference in the lives of Arizonans.

"The Arizona Lottery is deeply committed to supporting the well-being of Arizona's communities and our partnership with Soles 2 Souls is just one example of how we’re giving back" stated Alec Esteban Thomson, CEO of the Arizona Lottery. "This partnership will provide essential footwear to individuals experiencing homelessness, fostering safer travel, especially during the hot summer months in Arizona."

“Soles2Souls is thrilled to be partnering with CASS again for our biggest distribution to date. We are committed, with the support of the Arizona Lottery, to be providing 500 pairs of shoes to individuals living in the shelter services at CASS. Providing footwear is essential during the summer in Arizona due to the heat. We are grateful to be a part of Arizona Lottery’s commitment to heat relief in Arizona at this time,” said Jake Krotonsky, Soles 2 Souls Executive Director.

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.

The Arizona Lottery has a longstanding commitment to support programs that benefit the public, including those that support people experiencing homelessness. To date, the Arizona Lottery has raised more than $15 million from ticket sales in support of homeless emergency programs, transitional shelters, and support services.

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.

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 Central Arizona Shelter Services, or to donate, please visit www.cassaz.org.