LOS ANGELES MISSION EASTER FOR THE HOMELESS FEATURES FOOT WASHING

Thousands of Free Shoes, Socks Distributed at Annual Meal

April 14, 2006 --- A rainy Spring day tested the contingency planning at the Los Angeles Mission Friday as the Annual Easter Dinner and foot washing was moved indoors. Despite the rain, thousands of homeless men, women and children were served.

Homelessness is getting a lot of attention lately in Los Angeles - politicians, civic leaders and service providers have been studying the issues and offering solutions. The Los Angeles Mission, with more than half a century of dedicated service to the homeless sees all this attention as beneficial to the thousands of guests it serves - which makes this year's Easter celebration on the streets more special than ever.

On Good Friday this year the Mission offered a free personal foot massage and a free new pair of shoes to thousands of homeless men and women. Add to that a warm, tasty meal and you have all the elements of the big celebration. Hundreds of children also received Easter baskets containing gifts and candy.

The Los Angeles Mission Community Clinic doctors and volunteers provided foot exams as well as physically bathing and caring for the feet of the homeless (a symbolic Christian tradition during Easter Week). "One of the things homeless people lack is the caring touch that most of us take for granted," said Dr. Lisa Levsen Abdishoo, Clinical Director of the Clinic. "We often find that our guests have painful corns and calluses, and ill-fitting shoes cause other problems as well," the doctor explained. Free socks and foot care products were distributed.

For the third year in a row, etnies, the world's leading Action Sports footwear and apparel manufacturer, donated some 2000 pairs of shoes. Company staff volunteered to help with the distribution. "etnies is honored to partner with and support the Los Angeles Mission for the past three years," said Pierre Andre Senizergues, owner/CEO of etnies and former professional skateboarder. "Our company and staff take pride in giving back to the community and are proud to be a part of this event making Easter a little more special for all of us."

Not only did this Christian ministry care for the soles of their guests, and their souls with prayer stations and Bible stories - but there was great food as well. Nearly 3,000 hot meals were provided to homeless men, women and children.

Today the Mission served 2,500 pounds of glazed ham, 400 pounds of pasta and 125 gallons of sauce for homemade 3 cheese macaroni, 250 gallons of savory mixed vegetables, 3,000 warm buttered rolls and 3,000 servings of pumpkin pie.

"Sometimes the problems of homelessness in a city the size of Los Angeles can seem overwhelming," said Marshall McNott, president of the Mission. "We often say we are changing the world one life at a time. That change - the personal decision to get off the street - can only come with the kind of help the Los Angeles Mission provides. Not just a meal, or a safe bed to sleep in, but drug and alcohol counseling, spiritual awakening, education resources, job training and a loving, encouraging environment."

The Los Angeles Mission refers to the Skid Row area as "Hope Central" - helping people find their way off the streets and into productive lives through their Urban Training Institute (UTI).

"We think government can certainly help in the effort with the homeless," McNott said. "But as a faith-based ministry, we believe it is our responsibility to care for the sick, homeless and hurting. We do this with the help of thousands of volunteers and tens of thousands of supporters. That's why we don't take any government funding to do the work of the Mission."

For over 50 years, the Los Angeles Mission has served the people of Hope Central (known as Skid Row), providing emergency services such as shelter, food, clothing, as well as professional medical and dental services. In addition, the Los Angeles Mission also offers long-term residential rehabilitation programs including education, job training/placement, transitional housing and counseling.

Established in 1986, etnies started out by designing the best skateboarding shoes available. Owned and operated by World Champion Skateboarder Pierre André Senizergues, etnies dedication to quality footwear and apparel is unparalleled. From the creation of the very first pro model skate shoe, to expanding that innovation to include other action sports like snowboarding, surfing, moto-x and BMX, etnies has always been there, crafting the quality, style and functionality that has changed the face of the action sports footwear industry. For more information contact: Ashton Maxfield: 949.900.2884 or Ashton.Maxfield@soletechnology.com