COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to make the winter season warmer for children in need, the Keeping Kids Warm® program is donating new winter coats to 4 schools in Columbus. The Keeping Kids Warm program is supported by Lane Bryant and Catherines women's retail apparel brands.

Columbus Coat Distributions will take place next week at Fairwood Elementary School on November 27^th, East Linden Elementary School on November 28^th, Oakmont Elementary School on November 29^th, and Cassady Elementary School on November 30^th.  All events begin at 9:30 a.m.

For each school, Company employees volunteer to organize coat distributions, order and pack coats, and present them in person to children in their communities. Each child at the recipient schools receives a brand new, warm winter coat!

"The Keeping Kids Warm program is a key part of our ongoing effort to be good corporate citizens in the communities where we live and work.  A special thanks to our customers and key vendor partners whose generosity has been an important enabler to our ability to successfully execute the program.  Our warm wishes to all for a healthy and joyful holiday season," said Charming Shoppes' President Anthony M. Romano.

This is the Keeping Kids Warm program's 17^th year of giving. To date, the Company and its brands have donated nearly 200,000 winter coats to elementary students all over America in such cities as Minneapolis, Cleveland, Chicago, Columbus, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Syracuse, Newark and many others. This fall, Keeping Kids Warm will visit schools and non-profit partners to present nearly 10,000 coats to children in need.

Keeping Kids Warm is an endeavor of CSI Charities, Inc., a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, and is affiliated with Lane Bryant, Cacique, Catherines and Sonsi, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Ascena Retail Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASNA). Ascena Retail Group, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer offering clothing, shoes, and accessories for missy and plus-size women and tween girls, under the Justice, Lane Bryant, maurices, dressbarn and Catherines brands. Ascena Retail Group, Inc. operates through its subsidiaries approximately 3,800 stores throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. For more information about Ascena Retail Group, Inc. and its brands, visit www.ascenaretail.com, www.shopjustice.com, www.lanebryant.com, www.maurices.com, www.dressbarn.com, www.catherines.com, www.cacique.com, www.sonsi.com, www.figis.com, and www.figisgallery.com.  For more information about Keeping Kids Warm and how to get involved, please email us at keepingkidswarm@charming.com.

SOURCE Lane Bryant