Social Enterprises Open During COVID-19

We have seen the power of social enterprise to benefit people and the environment while creating jobs and supporting economic development. We know that this is a challenging time for people and businesses alike, and have heard that people are looking for ways to support social enterprises during this time. While many businesses are pausing and/or pivoting, many others are operating online or in unique ways. Here are a few you might consider supporting. 

Food & Drink

  • Turmeric Teas is a line of organic loose leaf tea blends with turmeric, making it easy and delicious to add turmeric into your diet. As food security is a particular challenge at this time, it’s worth noting that supporting this Certified B Corporation means one meal is donated to Food Banks Canada for every bag purchased. 

  • Good Food for Good, like Turmeric Teas, is a Buy One, Feed One venture and Certified B Corp. Products are free of gluten, soy, corn, refined sugars, and preservatives, and made with organic ingredients. 

  • Reunion Coffee Roasters is a Certified B Corp, one of Canada’s Greenest Employers (2018), and a roaster based in Toronto that aims to provide sustainable coffee from seed to cup. 

  • London Brewing Co-Op is a worker co-operative and craft brewery that chooses the finest local and organic malts and hops available. They offer home delivery 7 days per week, as well as curbside pickup.  

  • Lucky Iron Fish is a simple and effective cooking tool that provides a significant portion of your daily required iron intake. They have an active campaign to provide nutritional relief to families disproportionately affected by COVID-19 in India. 

  • Las Chicas del Café is a St. Thomas coffee roaster built on the foundation of three generations of coffee growers from Nicaragua. Founded by sisters, Las Chicas del Café imports and roasts coffee from Nicaragua and gives back to the community back home. Curbside pickup is available with online orders. 

Household

  • For the Love of Laundry sells laundry soap, stain sticks, and dryer balls that have a purpose: clean laundry for low income families in need. (Also available through the Unwrapped Marketplace). 

  • Skilled Accents—a London-based social enterprise that employs refugees in creating beautiful, earth-friendly accent pillows—continues to operate an online store. 

  • Budding Artists Studio fuses art, fashion, and functional household items with children’s art. 25% of product orders made during March and April will be donated to the London Food Bank. 

  • VitaRock is a Certified B Corp that offers sustainable brands for health and home. 

Apparel & Accessories (People & Pets)

  • Cambio Market features thoughtful & responsible goods that empower artisans from the Philippines and elsewhere. 5% of proceeds go to COVID-19 relief efforts in the Philippines. 

  • Loko Sport is an eco-conscious activewear brand that offers size inclusive clothing that is 100% designed and manufactured in Canada. They have just launched their Serenity Now Spring Collection to support healthy habits as the weather changes. 

  • Sustainable Outdoors Co.'s apparel is dedicated to the outdoor enthusiast. Proceeds from every item sold are donated to conservation efforts in Canada. 

  • Carmina de Young, a London designer that delivers sustainable fashion, has pivoted to create medical gowns and masks during this time. 

  • Brave Soles is a woman-owned brand that delivers ethically produced shoes and accessories. 

  • World Tailors’ 100% cotton aprons and market bags are made by courageous women from around the world who gain access to invaluable skills while they work. 

  • SF&Co is a pet lifestyle brand with products for people and their pets. 5% of every sale is donated to an animal rescue selected by the community. They’re currently offering free porch pickup here in London, as well as flat shipping rates based on order value. 

Arts, Culture, & Education

  • Red T Media is a fantastic resource for homeschooling parents with kids aged 6-11. Check their website for books, apps, and teaching resources, or head over to their YouTube channel for more content to keep those little thinkers engaged. 

  • The Aeolian is a beautiful, unique, award-winning location that champions community and the arts. While the events may be on pause, gift certificates are still on offer. 

  • Grace In London (Grace Patrick) is a London-based, one-of-a-kind artist who creates beautiful work and supports a local shelter through her sales. 

  • The STEAM Centre provides invaluable workshops and education opportunities for all ages with a particularly remarkable capacity to support youth. Gift certificates are currently available. 

If you’re based in London and looking for other local businesses to support, local B Corp rTraction has taken the lead on a list of local businessesIf you are a social enterprise that wants to be added to this list please contact rberdan@pillarnonprofit.ca

Article type: 
Blog entry
News Topic: 
COVID-19 Response
Social Enterprise

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