Shopping is something most of us enjoy doing. No matter the season, we are always looking for fashion forward clothes, shoes, and accessories to keep us looking fabulous. Why not represent brands that are stepping out for good? Here are a few brands that give back and impact those in need. Look great and feel even better when wearing these brands and know that you are helping make a difference!
1. The Giving Keys
The Giving Keys is a brand of jewelry started by Caitlin Crosby. The Giving Keys sells engraved necklaces and bracelets; each piece of jewelry has an encouraging word on it, such as hope, believe, strength, create, etc. The mission of The Giving Keys is to impact people experiencing homelessness by employing them with their company. The Giving Keys are changing the lives of those who are less fortunate and giving them a new start. Once you have purchased your key, embrace the word that is on it, and at some point, when you feel you have met someone who needs that word as you did, pass the necklace on to them. It's the gift that keeps on giving!
2. Love Your Melon
Love Your Melon is a company created by two college students in Minnesota in an entrepreneurship class. LYM sells beanies, hats, shirts, and other various items with one simple mission: to impact children battling cancer. For every hat or beanie you purchase, LYM will donate one to a child with cancer. The LYM team also donates 50% of their proceeds to their nonprofit business partners in the field of pediatric cancer research. How precious! This fall, when shopping to keep your own noggin warm, make a difference in the life of a child fighting cancer as well!
3. Toms
Toms is a company well-known in the United States. Toms sells shoes, apparel, backpacks, eyewear, and coffee. For every pair of Toms shoes that you purchase, the company will donate one pair to a child in need across the world. For every eyewear purchase that is made, Toms also pays for a full eye exam to a person in need and proceeds to pay for the treatment needed following the exam. But wait, there's more! Did you know that Toms has their own coffee roasting company? For every bag of Toms Roasting Co. coffee that is sold, Toms gives 140 liters of safe, drinkable water. Toms partners with givers in over 70 countries including Honduras, India, China, and Haiti.
4. The Shine Project
The Shine Project is a jewelry company started by Ashley LeMieux. While in college, she interned at an inner-city high school and noticed a problem: the students didn't believe college was an option for them because of financial issues. Ashley then started a scholarship program that turned into a non-profit to keep sending students with no financial resources to college. Shortly after, she began a for profit business employing the inner city students. Today, The Shine Project has headquarters in Phoenix. Students make the jewelry they sell and are involved in every aspect of the business from product creation, customer service, and shipping. The Shine Product offers trendy pieces that truly make a difference in the lives of students.
5. Philanthropy Fashion
Philanthropy is a Christian based company with stores located in Tennessee, Missouri, Florida, and Georgia that offers modern fashion apparel for women. Starting in 2007, the company donates at least 10% of sales to various charities. Since the start of their business, Philanthropy has donated almost $500,000 to different causes and nonprofits! Philanthropy donates locally as well as to organizations in Sudan, Uganda, and Haiti.
