Shopping for a Cause: 18 Goods for Your Family That Give Back

With a goal of providing 1 million meals per year, Cuddle + Kind donates 10 meals to children in need for each hand-knit doll sold. Made with soft, premium cotton, every doll is handcrafted by women artisans in Peru, providing them with a sustainable, fair trade income. Looking for stylish nursery or kids’ room decor? You can also buy prints featuring each doll’s favorite inspirational quote, and each print sold provides five meals.

Founded by three longtime friends from Washington State, Krochet Kids empowers women in Northern Uganda and Peru by teaching a simple skill: crochet. By providing a job, education and mentorship, the company seeks to break the cycle of poverty. Look to them for warm, colorful headwear and accessories for the whole family. 

Buy a backpack from Sydney Paige, and they’ll donate a backpack stuffed with school supplies to a child in need. The company also sells lunch bags, pencil cases, books and other accessories and donates a matching item for each one sold. Their stylish, high-quality products are made from 100% cotton canvas, recycled 600D polyester and/or natural leather.

Giving poverty the boot: That’s the mission of Roma Boots, who donates a pair of rain boots to a child in need — particularly those living in cold or wet climates — for every pair sold. Plus, 10% of all sales proceeds goes to the Roma for All Foundation, which helps educate children in impoverished communities. Roma’s boots for kids and adults are made of natural rubber and feature a quick-dry cotton lining and a three-layer insole for comfort.