I own two pairs of TOMS shoes. They’re cute, comfortable and, best of all, when I buy a pair, one goes to a child in need. It’s called the One for One Movement and TOMS isn’t the only business that’s part charity.
Many businesses help you shop for a cause. When you spend your money, you’re not being materialistic. You’re giving back. It’s a movement that has taken off and businesses are capitalizing on it, and I’m glad. We’re the shopping generation and not just with clothes. We buy shoes, gadgets, coffee, and other “necessities.” We’re never going to stop shopping, so why not join the movement. Here are a few companies that will help you help others.
TOMS: If you don’t know about TOMS shoes and eyewear, the organization started out with the slogan “With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One.” This year, TOMS added the eyewear movement. For every pair of eyeglasses you purchase, TOMS gives sight to a person in need through medical treatments, prescription glasses or sight-saving surgery. TOMS is not only a great company that gives back to the community, you’ll like what you buy. The shoes are comfortable and cute, as are the glasses. They may be a little pricey with their glasses starting at $135 and their shoes starting at $44, but remember, you’re buying two pairs. You can buy TOMS shoes or glasses at www.toms.com.
Warby Parker: is another organization with an eyewear movement. You buy a pair and give a pair. Warby Parker partners with non-profit organizations to deliver one pair of glasses to someone in need. The glasses you purchase include prescriptions and start at $95. I know you’re in college and $95 could buy you a lot of food, but remember, you’re helping a child see the writing on a blackboard or helping a parent drive. You can buy Warby Parker glasses at www.warbyparker.com.
Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee Company: With their slogan “Drink Coffee. Do Good,” this coffee company helps communities in countries like Rwanda, Haiti and Thailand to create a sustainable income by growing and selling coffee. If you buy their coffee, you’ll receive 100 percent Arabica, fairly traded and roasted fresh coffee. They sell regular and decaf in various sizes and in whole bean or ground varieties. The coffee starts out at $12.95. Get your coffee fix and help communities thrive at www.landofathousandhills.com.
Starbucks Coffee Company: If coffee is an addiction for you, you’ll be happy to hear that Starbucks Coffee Company helps you give back too, but with their water and book sales. Profits from book sales go toward advocating literacy, and for every bottle of Ethos Water they sell, five percent of the profits goes to producing clean water for children in third world countries. So next time you buy a triple tall Americano with brevee and six pumps of classic syrup, remember to buy a bottle of Ethos water or a book, too.
Roma Provisions: If you’re sick of ruining your shoes with the amount of rain Florida has, type in www.romaprovisions.com into your web browser. This company is “warming the world” with their rain boots. Roma Provisions sells rain boots, and for every pair sold, their subsidiary, Roma for All, distributes boots to children living in poverty. Their mission is to keep the feet of children living in cold and wet climates warm and dry. Their boots cost $84, but they’re cute, simple and you’re helping a child.
One World Futbol Project: An organization that should appeal to athletes is the One World Futbol Project. This company sells $39.95 soccer and multi-sport balls that are unique, durable and for any terrain. It never needs inflating and will never go flat. For every ball you buy, one goes to a refugee camp, a war zone, an inner city or a poverty-stricken community. You can pick which community you want the ball to go to at www.oneworldfutbol.com.
Baby Teresa: Instead of calling it a one for one movement, the organization, Baby Teresa, says you’re buying once and sharing twice. For every baby onesie you buy, one goes to a baby in need. You can help clothe a baby from Egypt, the Philippines, Tanzania and many other countries. The goal of the company is to clothe at least one baby from every country in the world. You can buy a onesie at www.baby-teresa.com and they start at $29.95.
Fair Trade: If none of these companies interest you, one movement you can check out is fair trade. Fair trade helps people in developing countries have better trading conditions and helps support sustainable living in communities. This movement focuses on handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine, fruit, chocolate, flowers and gold. Fair trade products can be found at www.fairtradeusa.org, www.serrv.org, www.thehungersite.org and many other websites.
My Christmas list includes a pair of TOMS. I am slightly obsessed with these shoes, but, most of all, I love the heart behind the company. My dream would be to intern at TOMS. TOMS has helped me shop for a cause and hopefully this information has helped you find your one for one movement.
