K.I.D.S. and Fashion Delivers to Honor Andy Hall, President and CEO of Stage Stores Inc. Along With Other Fashion Industry Leaders

HOUSTON--(Business Wire)--
Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. (K.I.D.S.) a twenty-four year old global
charity partnering with Fashion Delivers, a four year old not-for-profit
organization, will honor four fashion industry leaders for outstanding
philanthropic commitment at this year`s annual fund raising gala on Wednesday,
November 4, 2009, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York. Proceeds of the event
will be donated to children and families in need through K.I.D.S. and Fashion
Delivers. Over $1.3 million was raised from the 2008 gala event for both
organizations.

This year`s honorees include: John Daly, President of Trade Finance CIT Group
who will receive the Fashion Has Heat Award; Andrew Hall, President and CEO of
Stage Stores who will receive the Retailer Award; Gary Simmons, President and
CEO of Gerber Childrenswear, LLC who will be honored with the K.I.D.S.
LifetimeAchievement Award; and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational
organization behind Sesame Street, which will receive the Humanitarian Award.

"Under normal circumstances, assistance to families and children challenged by
homelessness or natural disasters is astounding, however, add to this the
current state of the economy where far greater numbers are in need, and these
humanitarians are the heroes of our times," said Peter Rosenthal, President of
Rosenthal & Rosenthal and Chairman of K.I.D.S.

Since the devastation of Katrina, Fashion Delivers and K.I.D.S. has provided
several million dollars of new product in relief and daily enhances the quality
of life of those less fortunate. "This could never have been accomplished
without the generosity of our fashion community," added Allan E. Ellinger,
Chairman of Fashion Delivers Charitable Foundation, Inc.

K.I.D.S. is a twenty-four year old global charity of leading retailers,
manufacturers, and licensors of children`s and youth products committed to
helping improve the lives of children and their families who are ill, living in
poverty, or are the victims of natural disasters. Fashion Delivers is a four
year old not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide products from
all parts of the fashion and related industries to victims of natural disasters
and those in need. Fashion Delivers and K.I.D.S. work with a network of 1,000
K.I.D.S. local agencies to distribute products quickly and directly to
recipients.

For more information on the event and K.I.D.S., visit www.kidsdonations.org.

For more information about Fashion Delivers, visit www.fashiondelivers.org.

Stage Stores, Inc. (NYSE:SSI) brings nationally recognized brand name apparel,
accessories, cosmetics and footwear for the entire family to small and mid-size
towns and communities through 758 stores located in 39 states. The company
operates its stores under the five names of Bealls, Goody`s, Palais Royal,
Peebles and Stage. For more information about Stage Stores, visit the Company`s
website at www.stagestoresinc.com.

Stage Stores Inc.
Media Relations
Kim Bell, 713-838-4231
kimbell@stagestores.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009