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7 creative ways businesses are giving back

Words by Smiley Team

As more people do their bit to protect the planet and help others live happier and healthier lives, it seems companies understand the importance of this, too.

For businesses in 2021, simply being one that makes money isn’t enough. Now, there’s a responsibility to be conscious about how you operate. Why? Because more people are likely to spend money if you have an ethical and sustainable operation, as well as consider the needs of community and society. 

With that in mind, we’ve highlighted the companies who are doing their bit to give back, in different ways. 

1. Socks that save endangered animals

Lucy Jeffrey is the founder of Bare Kind, where she designs and sells bamboo socks. The company gives people the opportunity to contribute towards saving the planet with every purchase by donating 10% of all profits to a charity that saves the animal on the sock. They currently have 10 designs and support 10 charities from bees to whales, hedgehogs to orangutans. With the orangutan socks alone, since January 2021, they have protected 250 acres of tropical forest for the year. 

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2. Helping to end period poverty in Ghana

Wiley’s Finest UK, a sustainable fish oils company, has partnered with OrganiCup to provide women and girls in Ghana menstrual cups in order to combat period poverty. This is alongside the great work they’re doing with their School In A Bag initiative. A study found 95% of girls in rural areas of Ghana reported missing school during their periods. Its partnership with OrganiCup means 400 menstrual cups will be shipped to Ghana to be distributed. 

3. Giving 100% of company profits to educational charities

Tom McLoughlin is the founder of SEO Travel, a digital marketing agency specialising in SEO, PR, web design for travel businesses. With Covid having such a huge impact on the industry and many companies cutting back on their overheads, Tom recently decided to donate 100% of the company's profits to charity going forward. In April 2021, SEO Travel changed its business model to give away all of the profit it makes to educational charities. 

4. Donating food, drinks and essentials to those in need

Approved Food is a Yorkshire-based online surplus food and drink retailer that specialises in products that would otherwise go to waste. The company has donated food, drinks, household essentials and pet food worth thousands of pounds this year alone. For example, when Batley Food Bank’s shelves ran dry and the charity was in danger of folding, Approved Food donated a van full of goods to keep the food bank going. And during lockdown, Approved Food teamed up with two other Yorkshire businesses to distribute more than 11,000 bottles of Yazoo flavoured milk and 2.500 toilet rolls to food banks around Yorkshire.

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5. Supporting NHS volunteers and staff

Deliveroo has donated 3,321 meal deals to Leeds Hospitals Charity to support the volunteers at the hospitals and the Elland Road vaccination centre in Leeds. Volunteers stationed at Elland Road stadium received deliveries twice a week, complete with a range of sandwiches, snacks, and drinks to keep them going during their long shifts.

And another company – skincare brand Nursem – donates a month’s supply of hand care to an NHS nurse or midwife for every product sold. The pledge has helped over 251,000 nurses across the UK to date.

6. Providing underwear to vulnerable women

Y.O.U Underwear sells ethical underwear for men, women and girls that makes a difference. They operate on a 'Buy-One-Give-Two' promise - this means for every item from its core collection bought, they donate two pairs of underwear to vulnerable women and girls across the UK and Africa. So far, the company has donated over 16,000 pairs of underwear. 

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7. Supporting the community

RJC Plant Services Ltd is nestled in the small rural village of Church Fenton, North Yorkshire. The team has played a large role in the community in the past few years – for example, donating 50 afternoon teas from local deli to 50 elderly residents of Church Fenton. As a team of dog lovers, in April 2021 they wanted to do something to support the animal charities that were facing increasing demands on their services but reduction in donations as the pandemic continued. They identified two local charities – Miss Mollies Pet Rescue based in Harrogate and Woodhaven Second Chance in South Milford – to support and purchased 1000 meals to donate to them. They hand delivered the food, along with sleeping blankets donated by the team and local community.  

This article aligns with the following UN SDGs

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