TOUCHING LIVES: My annual list of gifts that give back to those in need.

With Thanksgiving behind us, the holiday shopping season has officially begun, and with it, Cyber-Monday and #GivingTuesday. Each year, I publish a list of gifts that give back to those in need.

This year, I’ve decided to keep last year’s list and add 5 new companies to the list, for a total of 30! If you have one to add, please do so in the comment section, with a link and description! Thank you!

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Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Yule (the pagan celebration of the winter solstice), this is the season for giving. It is my hope to help people get past the hustle and bustle, the decorating, the baking, annual holiday Letter, and get to the heart of the reason for the season: love of others, and giving to others.

What better way to do that than give a gift that gives back to those less fortunate?

About 6 years ago, I worked for a local Credit Union. Part of my job there was to write their blog. Every year at this time, I would post my annual list of GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK: a list of organizations that sell items with one great bonus, with every purchase, something is donated to those less fortunate. I miss doing this, and decided to get back to it. Starting this year, I’ll post a list of some of my favorite gifts that give back. If you are a regular follower of my blog, you’ll know that one of my favorite things to do is highlight non-profit organizations. So, it seemed natural to include this list each year. (I’ll also post a link to this list on my sidebar, so you can access it quickly, should you need to.)

This year,  I have a list of 30 different organizations. If you have an organization not on the list, PLEASE feel free to post a link in the comments, along with a description, for everyone to see. THANKS!

ONTO THIS YEAR’S LIST!

Yoobi

WHAT WE GIVE:

THE YOOBI CLASSROOM PACK:

“We determined the most fundamental tools to support learning and creativity, and we identified which items teachers are most likely to buy for their classrooms out of their own pocket. We then made special Yoobi school supplies and boxed them up to create a Yoobi classroom pack.”

 

Dopper water bottle

“For each bottle sold, Dopper gives 5% of the sales to both water and sanitation projects, helping to increase access to clean drinking water”

Net Effect Traders

“NET Effects is an international team of high energy entrepreneurial women who share a vision to bring fun, fabulously designed, carefully crafted, fashion conscious handbags and totes to savvy shoppers and international markets.

At the same time NET Effects champions sustainable and positive change for the disenfranchised of Cambodia. Through our fair trade socially conscious business we are providing quality training, great work environments, good wages, dignity and economic freedom.

We hope you share in our vision to break the cycle of poverty in a brutal environment by supporting these women and the beautiful and unique bags they have created.”

Good Spread Honey Peanut Butter

” When you buy a jar of Good Spread, you send a treatment of MANA Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food to a malnourished child. We believe that the collective action of socially conscious consumers can put a dent in global malnutrition. “

Sprout Plantable Pencils

“Plants from pencils? That’s right – once you’ve finished with your Sprout pencil, plant it and watch it grow into fragrant herbs, luscious flowers or even fresh vegetables.”

Love Your Melon

“…donates 50% of the profits to support pediatric cancer research and families affected by cancer.”

Lula’s Garden

“…supports organizations that help improve lives around the world by providing access to safe water.”

State.com

“For every STATE bag purchased, STATE hand-delivers a backpack – packed with essential tools for success –

to an American child in need.”

Cuddle + Kind

“…for every doll sold, cuddle+kind gives 10 meals to children in need.”

Thistle Farms

“…HEALS, EMPOWERS, AND EMPLOYS women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction.”

Better World Books

…Will donate one book to someone in need, for every book sold.

To The Market

“…promotes and sells items made by survivors of abuse, conflict or disease from around the world. “

LTSN

” Proceeds from sales of all LSTN products go towards giving hearing aids to people in need worldwide through our charity partner,

Starkey Hearing Foundation.”

Found My Animal

…supports animal adoptions over purchase. Donates profits to animal rescue organizations around the country.”

Every Mother Counts

…

“…make pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother, everywhere.  The Orange Rose is a powerful reminder that safer motherhood is possible. It represents a beautiful, vibrant and strong life, like that of a mother who has been supported through pregnancy and childbirth.

Learn more at everymothercounts.org“

Grounds and Hounds

“20% of all proceeds received by Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. will be donated to our rescue partner located closest to you.”

Bombas Socks

“… is built from the ground up around the idea of sock donations. The more socks we sell, the more we donate. And as we grow, our giving and community efforts will continue to grow right alongside us.

One pair purchased = One pair donated.”

Cheeky Home

“…creates modern mealtime solutions with a
witty spirit to help end hunger in the U.S. … For every item sold, one meal will be provided in partnership with Feeding America and No Kid Hungry

Red.org

“….partners with the world’s most iconic brands that contribute up to 50% of profits from (RED)-branded goods and services to the Global Fund [to help fight AIDS.]”

The Starling Project

“…provides solar energy to communities in need around the world.”

Faucet Face

“…donates a portion of their profits to help residents of a rural Indian village have access to clean drinking water.”

Global Goods Partners

“…is dedicated to empowering women to become economically independent by selling handmade goods.”

Hiptipico

“… is an ethical fashion brand based in Panajachel, Guatemala showcasing Maya artisans and their handmade creations. Every Hiptipico item is thoughtfully handcrafted by indigenous communities, using high-quality sustainable materials….When you shop with Hiptipico, you know the authentic story of the artisan who made your product and the traditional technique and materials used to craft it. Through this dignified job opportunity, Maya artisans partner with Hiptipico to lift themselves out of poverty while doing something they love.”

 

Out of Print Clothing

“Purchases of Out of Print products help fund literacy programs and book donations for communities in need.”

 

Shopping for Change

 “…is a non-profit that supports small businesses and works to fund community improvement projects in artisan communities.”

Bloom and Give

“…donates 50% of the profits to help fund programs that send girls [in India] to school”

Love 41

100% of proceeds go to fund Africa New Life Ministries, to help those affected by Rwandan Genocide, as well as the following organizations:

• Africa New Life Dream Day Care (free daycare for those attending training for sewing or beauty school in Rwanda)
• Africa New Life Women’s Center Vocational School (sewing and beauty school for widows, single parents and women in severe poverty to gain a skill to make money to support for their families)
• Child sponsorship for orphans and street kids in Rwanda
• Leonsito’s Day Care in Mexico (free day care for single parents and low income families)
• After school program in Leon,Mexico to help school children with their homework and teach English
• Scholarships for Bible education for orphans, abandoned children and children in great need

Fire Department Coffee

A portion of every sale is donated to Firefighter and military charities.

Sudara

“…is a Certified Benefit Corporation that exists to advocate on behalf of and empower women who have escaped from, or at the highest risk of, human trafficking by providing dignified employment opportunities. “

United By Blue

“For every product sold, United By Blue removes one pound of trash from our world’s oceans and waterways.”

That’s all for this year.

Remember:

This is just a handful of organizations

who give back to the world.

If you have an organization

not on the list,

PLEASE feel free to post a link

in the comments,

along with a description,

for everyone to see.

THANKS!