Unless you’re living way off the beaten path you probably rely pretty heavily on the use of footwear. Shoes and flip-flops are something we generally take for granted but depend on everyday. Since we’re all basically locked into the habit of buying and using shoes on a regular basis, why not make our buying power count towards something greater than our own insular needs? A few shoe and sandal companies are stepping up in this realm and offering ways to help you do just that.
Freewaters, for example, offers sleek designs, modern comfort, and the benefit of putting some of your money towards helping others access clean drinking water. With projects in Haiti, Kenya, and the Philippines, they funnel 1% of every sale to a socially responsible cause. They’ve built wells in Kenya, made rain catchments in Haiti, and distributed water filtering systems in the Philippians. Plus their shoes and sandals are stylish, high grade, and built for comfort. Click this link to read more about the current clean water dissemination efforts Freewaters is involved in or go here to buy some new gear.
Freewaters Sky Slip-On Knit
Toms Shoes is another company making a massive social impact. Their one-for-one business model was unique from the get-go. For every pair of shoes they sell, Toms provides a person in need with a pair as well. On their website they claim to have given out over 75 million shoes to people in over 70 countries including the U.S. They’ve been at it since 2007 and there’s no end in sight for the positive work their doing. Toms has expanded their effort from a footwear only operation to a business that provides eyewear, safe drinking water, birth related medical relief, backpacks and bullying awareness training. Go to this site to learn more and shop around.
Toms + Keith Haring Foundation Sneaker
Another company making strides to benefit others is Rainbow Sandals. Rainbow was founded on the premise that it was possible to make high quality, durable sandals that were less likely to end up in a landfill than the average flip-flop. In order to live up to this goal they’ve been making sandals from a variety of strong materials and backing them with a significant warranty or extended repair plan. Rainbow has pledged to take worn out items that are past their warranty, repair them and, “donate these sandals to protect the feet of the homeless, orphaned, and victims of natural disasters.” To find out more about Rainbow Sandals or buy some new flip-flops from them check out this website.
Holoholo – Gerry Lopez Rubber Signature Sandal
While buying footwear is unlikely to be the answer to all of our deeply rooted social, and environmental problems, every effort counts. If more people gain access to clean drinking water and shoes because we made a choice to buy shoes from companies that are out to make a difference, why wouldn’t we make that kind of decision? What’s stopping us from treading a little lighter on the environment, or helping people who really need to put shoes on their feet? With a bit of creative thinking and a conscious approach to shopping we can make a positive impact on some real issues.
sources and links:
https://freewaters.com/pages/waterprojects
https://www.rainbowsandals.com/home
featured image from freewaters.com