Foot Solutions Pedorthists in Arizona Prove They Are in the Business of Helping People - Hundreds to Receive Free Shoes on Sunday, May 22

Phoenix, AZ, May 18, 2011 --(PR.com)-- As the number of homeless and working poor in Phoenix continues to rise, Foot Solutions seven area stores are stepping in to provide a necessity that many are sorely lacking, a properly fitted pair of shoes.

On Sunday, May 22nd, starting at 10 a.m. Certified Pedorthists from Foot Solutions in Ahwatukee, Arcadia, Phoenix, Gilbert, Goodyear, Scottsdale and Surprise, will conduct free foot evaluations and fit brand new shoes and socks on hundreds of individuals from local homeless and women’s shelters. The footwear fitting event, which will include free transportation to and from the shelters, a full barbeque lunch and entertainment all provided by Prodigals Home Ministry, will be held at the New Hope Family Church, 9511 North 16th Avenue, Phoenix.

Foot Solutions Pedorthists who have served the Valley since 2001 and have donated thousands of new and gently used shoes over the years, say providing shoes to people in need is synonymous with their mission of helping people achieve better health through their feet. “We think healthy footwear is really more of a necessity than a luxury and it is one that we want to offer to as many people as we can,” said Jeff Petruske, Board Certified Pedorthist and Foot Solutions Field Operations Coordinator.

For years Foot Solutions stores in Arizona have collected and shipped shoes to Soles4Souls, a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from around the country. The charity distributes these shoes to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class or any other criteria. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 13 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes. The shoes have been distributed to people in over 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal, Japan and the United States.

Petruske said now Foot Solutions Arizona stores are looking forward to helping those who need it most in their own backyards. “We want people to understand that properly fitting the footwear is as important as the footwear itself,” said Petruske. In fact, their goal is to educate the public about what a Pedorthist is and how they can help alleviate foot pain and pain in other parts of the body, through carefully fitted footwear. Pedorthics is by definition the design, manufacture, modification and fit of footwear, including foot orthoses, to mitigate problems caused by disease, overuse, congenital defect or injury.

“Most people don’t realize that footwear designed to alleviate pain, can be very stylish and often look so 'mainstream' that others aren’t even aware that a foot problem exists. It costs less than a lot of people expect and it can help people stay healthy as properly fitted footwear can alleviate knee and back pain as well as improve overall body alignment and posture,” said Petruske.

A Pedorthic evaluation at Foot Solutions consists of a foot and ankle evaluation, the most technologically advanced digital pressure mapping of the feet, gait analysis and a professional shoe fitting. The professional footwear fitting is free and is available for both women and men at any age.

For more information, call 1-888-FIT-FOOT or log on to www.footsolutions.com to find the location nearest you.

About Foot Solutions
Foot Solutions, a worldwide company with more than 220 franchise locations, including seven in the Valley, is devoted to helping its clients achieve better health through their feet and is a recognized leader in specialty footwear, custom inserts and technology driven health and wellness products. Foot Solutions is the world’s largest and No. 1 ranked health and wellness franchise, focusing on foot care and proper fit.

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