The Arizona Lottery has given $25,000 to Soles 2 Souls, an organization that buys shoes for people in Arizona who have limited resources.

Soles 2 Souls was founded in 2021 by two Phoenix teenagers and has given hundreds of pairs of new shoes to people experiencing homelessness, children in foster care and others, according to an Arizona Lottery release.

The organization recently used a portion of the lottery funds to purchase shoes for 30 families at the Central Arizona Shelter Services Family Shelter.

“Many families experiencing homelessness spend much of their hard-earned money on childcare, saving for housing and paying off old debts,” CASS shelter manager Ashley DePrato said.

“Often, shoes cannot be prioritized. We are grateful for community partners like the Arizona Lottery and Soles 2 Souls for providing critical resources while making the holidays special for the families we serve.”

The Arizona Lottery's sponsorship allows Soles 2 Souls to extend its initiatives year-round, the release stated.

"The Arizona Lottery's generous sponsorship of our organization as we move into this next chapter of our charity is very touching," Andrew Phillips, director of communications and events, said.

"We're very blessed that we have not only the support of local individuals in the community but also an organization with as much repute as the Lottery."

To learn more about Soles 2 Souls, visit www.soles2souls.com