FORT MYERS, Fla., Jan. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Soma Intimates, the ultimate destination for intimate and lifestyle apparel, announces its second bra drive to help women in need. From January 24th - February 14th, 2011, the retailer will collect new and gently used bras at 128 Soma Intimates boutiques nationwide.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100712/FL33424LOGO )

The gently used bras will be donated to local women's shelters and breast cancer support groups in each region. Non-wearable donations will be sent to The Bra Recyclers, a textile recycling organization that ensures no bra ends up in a landfill. Customers at Soma Intimates boutiques can also buy new bras on the spot to donate to Dress for Success, an international non-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Soma Intimates' initial drive, first launched in July 2010, collected over 28,000 bras, more than doubling the company's goal. Based on this success, Soma Intimates decided to continue the charitable initiative twice a year as a way to help women across the country.

"We're excited to continue our bra drive in 2011," states Laurie Van Brunt, Soma Intimates' Brand President. "A bra is one of the least donated but most needed items. Donating sounds like a small thing, but it makes a big difference to women who have to make the choice between buying a bra and putting food on the table. The bra drive offers an opportunity for women to clean out their drawers at the start of the new year and give back to their local communities at the same time."

"Dress for Success Worldwide is grateful to be the recipient of new bras from Soma Intimates. New undergarments are a need for our organization, and we thank Soma Intimates and its customers for their generosity," states Blair Badenhop, corporate contributions manager, Dress for Success Worldwide.

For more information about Soma Intimates' biannual bra drive, please visit www.soma.com/givebras.

About Soma Intimates:

Soma Intimates, a division of Chico's FAS, Inc. (NYSE: CHS), is dedicated to offering sensual, luxurious and superior-fitting bras, panties, sleepwear and lifestyle apparel. Soma's mission is to make women look and feel wonderful by offering the softest fabrics, delightful Soma touches, and highly personalized customer service with trained Soma fit experts. Soma Intimates currently operates more than 128 boutiques and outlets across the country and www.soma.com.

About The Bra Recyclers

The Bra Recyclers is a division of Bosom Buddy Recycling, LLC based in Gilbert, AZ. They are a textile recycling company specializing in recycling bras and donating a portion of bras to deserving women in communities around the world. Established in October of 2008, The Bra Recyclers has expanded its supports to 25 organizations around the country by providing them with recycled bras. The Bra Recyclers does its part to impact the environment by delaying the amount of unused bras/textiles that go to landfills, thus reducing the pressure on virgin resources. For more information visit www.brarecycling.com

About Dress for Success

Dress for Success Worldwide is an international not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 110 cities in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, the UK and the West Indies. To date, Dress for Success has helped more than 550,000 women work towards self-sufficiency. Visit www.dressforsuccess.org to learn more.

SOURCE Soma Intimates