While I’m writing this, the *super big* Nordstrom sale just went live. I love seeing everyone’s picks and getting a peek at what my friend’s have purchased. All of this shopping got me thinking – can we shop and give back at the same time? After doing some research, the answer is YES. Today, I’m showcasing seven stores that consistently give to good causes. If you shop at a retailer that gives back to their local community or other causes, drop the name of the retailer and website, if applicable, in a comment below!
This company makes super thick and luxurious feeling throw blankets and donates one blanket to a sick child for every five blankets sold. The owner of this shop decided to begin to donate blankets to sick children on a whim one day. During that one trip to the hospital, the owner and her daughter learned that the daughter of family friends was readmitted to the ICU after undergoing treatment for leukemia – she passed away sometime after. As the pair were heading out of the hospital that day, they passed by the rooms where they distributed blankets and saw the joy that the blankets had brought to those patients. The rest is history. Read the full story of how they got started here.
I came across this company originally on Facebook, I believe. John’s Crazy Socks was created by John and his father, Mark with the mission of spreading happiness through socks. John is living with Down Syndrome and, together with his dad, has been making his dream a reality. As you may be able to tell from the store’s title, John’s Crazy Socks sells socks in all different, fun patterns. They give back by donating 5% of their earnings to the Special Olympics and they have collaborated with various charitable organizations on sock designs that specifically benefit one organization. This year, John will be an alternate on the Special Olympics snowshoeing team – how cool is that?
(More on the blog: Ways to Give Back)
This company has become increasingly popular over the last two years – how great! Love Your Melon was created by two college students as a means of improving the lives of those living with pediatric cancer. They primarily sell winter knit hats, but have recently expanded their line of hats to include baseball caps and headbands. Their current goal is to raise $1,000,000 (yup, that’s a million) for pediatric cancer research. They donate 50% of every sale to one of their 100 partners to aid in the fight against pediatric cancer.
Toms made waves, when they first became popular, for donating one pair of shoes to someone in need with every shoe purchase. It has been a few years since that time and I went on their websites to see what all has changed, if anything. I don’t know if these other initiatives are new as the Toms line has expanded, but there are several other ways that Toms gives back. In addition to their original shoe initiative they now have initiatives for improving access to eyewear, water, safe births and kindness. Every Toms eyewear purchase ‘helps restore sight to an individual through sight-saving surgery, glasses or medical treatment.’ Purchases from the Toms Roasting Co. support water systems in the same regions where their beans are sourced. Toms bag purchases provide training for skilled birth attendants and other materials for safe births. Toms High Road Backpack collection purchases provide training to school staff and crisis counselors to help prevent and respond to instances of bullying in the U.S. Needless to say, Toms is going their part to give back to the community.
Conscious Step is a company based out of New York that seeks to take the items that we use and love on a daily basis and create them from sustainable sources. Take a pair of socks, for example. They make socks using sustainably sourced materials in partnership with one of their partner organizations (Oceana, Action Against Hunger, UNAIDS, etc). For every purchase of those socks, a set donation is made to that organization – simple as that!
(More on the blog: Why You Should Research NonProfits)
Society B is a website that sells all sorts of items – from apparel to home goods. They give back by donating 10% of all purchases to one of the four charitable organizations they partner with – you get to choose. They currently partner with A21, Action Against Hunger, Kids in Need Foundation and Water.org.
For all of my book lovers, there is now a way to give back while purchasing your next read. Better World Books gives back in a variety of different initiatives that are listed on their website. For every book that is purchased from their website, another book is donated to someone in need. They also give back through literacy grants, special projects and volunteer opportunities.
Do you consistently support a company that gives back? If so, leave the company information and website below in the comments!
