Stein Mart Give & Receive Event to Boost Lagging Salvation Army Clothing Donations

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept 19, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- SMRT | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- In a year that has brought financial challenges to many Americans, The Salvation Army and Stein Mart, Inc., want to help shoppers "Give & Receive" from October 2-4, 2008, at Stein Mart stores nationwide. The event provides an easy way for shoppers to give much-needed clothing and receive great savings on new fall fashions.

"We are proud to partner with The Salvation Army and appreciate our customers' generous support," said Linda M. Farthing, president and chief executive officer of Stein Mart, Inc. "Through this event, our neighbors in need will benefit directly. That's what being part of a community is all about."

Customers are encouraged to bring clean, gently used garments in good condition to any Stein Mart store October 2-4 during the Give & Receive event. For each item donated, contributors will receive a coupon for 20% off any item.* Donated apparel will help replenish The Salvation Army's Thrift and Family Stores, many of which have reported as much as 20 percent decreases in donations over the past year. All proceeds from the Thrift Stores directly support The Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers, where over 340,000 men and women turned their lives around last year. Tax receipts are available for donations.

"The recent economic downturn has meant that people are keeping their gently used items longer so we are seeing fewer donations to our thrift and family stores," said Major George Hood, national community relations and development secretary. "This means that we have fewer items to sell and therefore less funding for our life-changing programs. Stein Mart's support, and that of their shoppers, is vital to our service and The Salvation Army is grateful."

*Coupons valid at Stein Mart locations October 2-4, 2008. Limit four coupons per customer while supplies last. Find the nearest Stein Mart location at www.steinmart.com .

About The Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 128 years in the United States. Nearly 29 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org .

About Stein Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMRT):

Stein Mart stores offer the fashion merchandise, service and presentation of a better department or specialty store, at prices up to 60% off department and specialty store prices every day. Currently with locations from California to Massachusetts, Stein Mart's focused assortment of merchandise features moderate to better fashion apparel for women and men, as well as accessories, gifts, linens and shoes. From a single store in Mississippi in the early 1900s, Stein Mart has expanded to more than 280 stores in 31 states. The current chairman, Jay Stein, is the grandson of the founder, Sam Stein. For more information on Stein Mart, please visit www.steinmart.com .

SOURCE The Salvation Army; Stein Mart, Inc.

http://www.steinmart.com

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