Another Model of Giving: Socially Responsible Small Businesses

Kids Against Hunger packages and ships highly nutritious, life-saving meals to starving and malnourished children in developing countries and the United States.   They do this by mobilizing children, teens, and adults volunteers who,  package the meals.   They have packaging network with a national headquarters and satellites in 14 states and Canada. 

The organization was founded by Richard Proudfit who was on a medical mission to Honduras after a hurricane ravaged the country.   He then enlisted executives at Cargill, Pillsbury, General Mills and Archer Daniels Midland to formulate a food that would meet all the nutritional requirements of severly malnourished children for physical growth and development.  The result was the creation of the nutrition food pictured above.

I learned about this charity from Jennifer J. Ebilane, a small business owner, who founded a company called Asianinspired.  Her company makes Asian flavored sauces, but what is different about this company is that it donates 40% of their net proceeds directly to charities that support children in Asian countries and that fight hunger.    In addition to Kids Against Hunger, the company is supports SOS Children's Villages, World Vision, and Children's Relief Fund.

Newman's Own is, of course, a great example of this model of giving. 

• Do you know of other examples of charitable giving or cause-related giving by small businesses? 
• Are there bloggers writing about this form of charitable giving or cause-related marketing by small businesses.
• Also,   I know I am more likely to purchase a product if I see that it is supporting a charity that I feel is important. 
• What about you?
  

Comments

[Jeane Goforth]

We've hooked up with The Left Hand (www.thelefthand.net), a local handmade cosmetic company. They are designing a soap for us and gift baskets for Valentine's day. We will split the sales 50/50. We connected with them through MySpace. They asked how they could help with our Scrollworks project and I suggested 'cause-related marketing'. It will undoubtedly be beneficial for both as we will be promoting their products with our youth orchestra families and they will have a table at our upcoming benefit concert.

[Joe]

Hi Beth,

I often write about small businesses and cause marketing. Check it out at www.selfishgiving.com.

Joe