As a college student, it can be tough to find money to donate to charities. Heck, it can be tough to find money to donate to yourself... ha, but really, students are pretty financially strapped, and giving back can be almost impossible, if not totally, when trying to pay for student loans, food, and living expenses.
But wait, there is a way to give back while also purchasing things for yourself. So next time you need new glasses or socks, check out some of these brands!
1. Bombas- "One pair purchased = one pair donated."
"The word Bombas is derived from the Latin word for bumblebee. Bees work together to make the hive a better place." Socks are the number one most requested clothing item in homeless shelters, and with each pair sold, they donate a pair.
2. Warby Parker- "Buy a pair, give a pair."
Warby Parker tallies up the total of all glasses sold in a month and donates an equal amount to nonprofit partners. The nonprofit organization trains men and women in other countries to give basic eye exams and sell glasses at a reasonable price, allowing locals to both make a living and get a pair of glasses they need and like.
3. Serengetee- "Wear the world."
The mission of Serengetee is to connect people to the globe with fabric while giving back to the communities that inspire their products. 5 percent of each purchase is donated to causes around the world. Right now, Serengetee is supporting 32 causes.
4. Toms- "One for one."
With every purchase made, Toms is able to provide shoes, sight, water, safe birth, and bullying prevention services to those in need.
5. Lokai- "Giving brings balance."
Lokai donates 10 percent of their net profits to different charities, such as the Susan G. Komen organization. They even have a special pink bracelet being sold for the month of October in support of Breast Cancer awareness.
Lokai is currently supporting ten different charities, such as Susan G. Komen, The World Wildlife Fund, Best Buddies, etc.
6. Love Your Melon- "Buy one give one."
With every purchase you make, you can give a hat to a child battling cancer. All products are made in America, thus providing more employment opportunities for citizens of our country.
50 percent of net proceeds will be donated to the Pinky Swear foundation and CureSearch.
7. Feed
With every product purchased, meals are provided to those who are malnourished and living in poverty all over the world. Each product is stamped with a number that signifies the amount of meals, or micronutrient packets, provided by that purchase.
All products are produced under fair-labor conditions while using environmentally friendly materials.
8. Smile Squared- "You buy one, we'll give one."
Every time you buy a Smile Squared product, one is given to a child in need, such as a simple toothbrush.
9. BoGo Bowl- "Buy one, give one."
When you purchase a BoGo bowl product, you are providing animals in need with food, which they may not have access to otherwise. By purchasing food from Bogo Bowl, you not only provide food for your own pet, but for rescued animals in shelters as well.
10. Sevenly- "People matter."
Each week, Sevenly partners with a different charity, and $7 or 7 percent of proceeds for each product sold are donated to that charity.
11. Out of Print
For each product sold, a book is donated to a community in need.
So, the next time you need to purchase a pair of socks or a toothbrush, try going with a company that gives back. That way, you get what you need, and you can help someone else in need.
