It feels so good to make a difference in someone’s life, doesn’t it? It’s a part of our human nature to feel compassion and empathy toward others and if you’re anything like many of us Green Monsters, you’re always looking for opportunities to help out and give back in any way you possibly can. What if we told you that you could contribute to the greater good just by shopping?
The power of the dollar dictates what’s important (or not-so-important) to consumers. The more people spend on a certain good, the more a company believes that good is important to their market. As more consumers choose to support businesses that are doing good and giving back, companies respond accordingly.
The notion of “conscious consumerism” is a force that’s driving the way people shop and the way that businesses operate. There are a ton of really stellar companies today that are giving proceeds to deserving organizations, maintaining fair trade practices, or operating on buy-one-give-one models. If you’re someone who loves to shop, check out these nine cool companies that give back. (But when you get that credit card bill, remember, it was for a good cause!)
Ten Thousand Villages
Talented artisans from 38 countries around the globe craft each of the items sold in Ten Thousand Villages’ retail shops and online store. The company, a registered nonprofit organization and founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization, operates on a Fair Trade platform, ensuring that money is filtered back to artisans in the form of fair wages and resources which help to better their lives.
Roma Boots
Your feet can do the happy dance in these fashionable rain boots and flip-flops! For every pair you purchase, Roma will donate another pair to a child in need. Additionally, they will donate ten percent of proceeds to their Roma For All Foundation, which aims to provide educational services for orphans and children of poverty.
Better World Books
Literacy is such an important life skill and when you purchase books from Better World Books, you’re helping to give that gift to someone else. Their “Book for Book” program donates a book for every one that you purchase, and they share profits with domestic and international nonprofit literacy organizations.
Raven and Lily
Raven and Lily’s collection of apparel, accessories, jewelry and gifts feature items that are handmade by women from around the globe. They operate a completely Fair Trade business and employ more than 1,000 women artisans.
SoapBox Soaps
Soap is a basic staple that, unfortunately, not everyone on our planet has access to. When you buy a bar of soap or a bottle of body wash from SoapBox Soaps, they’ll donate a bar of soap, fresh drinking water or vitamins to children around the world.
2 Degrees Food
2 Degrees Food’s on a mission to feed 200 million hungry children. Help them reach that goal by purchasing their healthy, all natural, vegan, GMO-free and gluten-free snack bars. For every bar sold, the company donates a meal.
BOGO Bowl
Cat and dog guardians, this one’s for you! When you buy a bag of BOGO’s premium pet food (no vegetarian formulas, yet, but it can’t hurt to ask!), another bag is donated to an animal shelter or rescue group to feed pets in need. Now, that’s something to bark about!
Everything Happy
Sparked by a 7-year-old’s idea, Everything Happy has grown into a company that helps children in hospitals and orphanages throughout the United States. Offering apparel, accessories and toys for kids, their “one to love, one to give” business model matches product purchases with product donations to kids who could use a little more “happy” in their lives.
Sevenly
Sevenly offers attention-grabbing, statement t-shirts, prints, accessories and gifts and partners with a new charity each week. During that week, $7 from every item sold goes to that charity and to date, they’ve raised more than $3.7 million for organizations with goals ranging from rescuing animals to providing clean drinking water.
Green Monsters, what are some of your favorite companies that give back?
Image source: Marc A. Garrett/Flickr
Also visit <a href="https://www.thekindowl.com"><strong>The Kind Owl http://www.thekindowl.com</strong></a> who sell home goods, jewellery, clothing, outdoors gear, travel gear, pet products etc and give 30% of all their proceeds to help stop cruel bear bile farming and dog meat trade (animals asia) and also to help rescue stray dogs and cats off the streets of war torn places, plus help our brave men and women soldiers take these dogs and cat strays they\’ve bonded with at war back home to live with them and their families (nowzad)
Also visit The Kind Owl > https://www.thekindowl.com who sell home goods, jewellery, clothing, outdoors gear, travel gear, pet products etc and give 30% of all their proceeds to help stop cruel bear bile farming and dog meat trade (animals asia) and also to help rescue stray dogs and cats off the streets of war torn places, plus help our brave men and women soldiers take these dogs and cat strays they\’ve bonded with at war back home to live with them and their families (nowzad)