Still need to do some last minute holiday shopping? If so, think about giving more than just a gift to your loved ones, think about making an impact too. We have compiled a list of some of our favorite companies that give back so that you can give the gift that keeps on giving this holiday season:
Bags: FEED
FEED makes a diverse line of bags, as well as accessories and apparel—all created with the purpose of providing food to children in need. Each item purchased provides you with the number of meals you are helping purchase for children around the world. “FEED is a social business, which means there is an enduring principle at the heart of what we do: people’s choices of what to buy and wear have the power to change the world.” All of its products are produced under fair-labor conditions, using environmentally friendly materials, and are made by artisans in Colombia, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Kenya, Mexico and Peru to provide livelihoods to under-served populations.
Shoes: Toms
You may have heard their story: For each pair of shoes you purchase, Tom’s will donate another pair to children in need. As of December 2016, over 60 million pairs of shoes have been donated. Tom’s hasn’t stopped there, however. They now also offer:
- Eyewear – each purchase provides an eye exam to someone in need.
- Coffee – with each bag purchased, Tom’s provides 140 liters of safe water to a person in need.
- Bags – each purchase enables the delivery of the vital materials and training needed to help provide a safe birth.
- Backpacks – each purchase helps to provide the training of school staff and crisis counselors to help prevent and respond to instances of bullying.
Scarves: Krochet Kids International
Krochet Kids International‘s goal is to holistically equip people living in poverty with the skills, education, and resources to change their circumstances forever. Today, over 150 people in Uganda and Peru are working, receiving education, and being mentored toward a brighter future all through KKI.
Outdoor Wear: Patagonia
We could write an entire blog post on all of Patagonia’s environmentalism efforts to date. Between their resourceful infrastructure, recycling, and compost-ability of product materials or their Worn Wear program – in which they will repair or recycle older, worn-out products – they also take a top prize in corporate responsibility. Furthermore, the company is now working on a new initiative called Patagonia Provisions, where they will focus efforts on building a healthier, more sustainable food chain and provide a new perspective and sense of urgency around some of the environmental causes they support. For example, their salmon products are sourced from Bristol Bay and Yakutat, Alaska, places where groups that Patagonia supports are working to stop the Pebble Mine and preserve Tongass National Forest.
Athletic Wear: Prana
During the holiday season, Prana donates a portion of the proceeds from select items to Outdoor Outreach—a not-for-profit that transforms lives by connecting underserved youths with the outdoors. In addition, Prana’s products are made from sustainably sourced materials and manufactured in partnership with the Fair Labor & Trade associations to minimize their carbon footprint.
Beauty Products: Burt’s Bees
Under the mantra of “doing as the bees do” (taking only what they need from the environment and leaving it a better place) Burt’s Bee’s is committed to creating a positive environmental impact. The company has several strict policies in place – sending zero waste to landfills, outfitting their facilities with energy-efficient lighting, resource management software, and efficient production equipment—which have yielded great results. Burt’s has achieved the Carbon Neutral certification from the Natural Capital Partners.
Clothing: Ivory Ella
A charitable company by nature, Ivory & Ella has made it its mission to save the elephants. 10% of all net profits are donated to a variety of causes to protect these beloved animals. Starting in Kenya and China, Ivory Ella creates good clothes for a good cause.
Sunglasses: Diff Eyewear
For every pair of sunglasses purchased, Diff will donate a pair of reading glasses to Eyes on Africa. They also have an initiative called the “pouch project” to help raise money for building a school in Uganda as part of the proceeds from their sales.
Toys: Plan Toys
PlanToys® creates products and activities with a strong commitment to contribute positively to the world. With Sustainable Play – a foundation of how toys cultivate creative minds and bring children closer to nature – they aim to have the next generation grow up with knowledge and appreciation to respect and to preserve natural resources.
Leave us a comment with your favorite philanthropic/sustainable companies!
Happy shopping!
