Give Back: Here's How Your Favorite Brands Are Stepping Up to Aid the Coronavirus Fight
Image: @thelotuschild
As we continue to operate in unprecedented times, we’re also seeing brands step up to help those in need and healthcare workers who are on the front lines. We spotted a comprehensive breakdown over at FootwearNews and immediately thought this would be the perfect opportunity to pinpoint what some of our favorite brands and boutiques are doing to show their support. We’ll be keeping this updated as we spot new info so, please be sure to check back and if you’re in a position to help support, please spend your money where you know it will be doing good. As always, stay safe.
April 6, 2020: Wholesale platform Joor has partnered with The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation (#TWSCF) on a new private marketplace for verified suppliers and buyers. This builds on the mission of #TWSCF to create a global clearinghouse of carefully vetted PPE and related suppliers, along with set fixed pricing. Brands like Tibi, Everlane and Citizens of Humanity can sign up to match their production capabilities with a list of products currently in demand; healthcare facilities can also register to access the PPE they need most. Data collaboration company Airtable is also helping to facilitate the effort.
April 3, 2020: Several prominent sneaker boutiques have stepped up to help local hospitals. Teaneck, N.J.-based Packer Shoes announced on social media that everything on its online store, Packershoes.com, is 20% off and 20% of all sales will be donated to The Holy Name Medical Center Foundation.
New York’s Extra Butter released its “New York Forever” T-shirt today via Extrabutterny.com with proceeds going to the grassroots #HelpQueensNow project, which the retailer said will help equip the medical staff in Queens Healthcare facilities with Personal Protective Equipment. The preorder will be open until April 4.
Yesterday, Jersey City, N.Y. store Sneaker Room added charitable “One Day at a Time” T-shirts and hoodies on its website, Snkrroom.com, with proceeds being donated to purchase medical supplies for local hospitals.
April 3, 2020: As the coronavirus is affecting small businesses across the world, Vans is doing its part to help balance the scales. The brand launched its “Foot the Bill” initiative today, committing to help 80 independent businesses from skate shops to restaurants and music venues. Vans is releasing unique custom-made designs from each company available for purchase on Vans Customs with net proceeds going directly to these partners. Fans can support the businesses by selecting their design and customizing them with other colors, prints and material combinations. Vans will be producing up to 500 pairs of custom Vans per business partner.
April 3, 2020: Vegan sneaker brand Yatay is bringing free footwear to the hardworking doctors in Italy. For every pair they sell, the Italian brand will be donating a free pair of shoes to medical professionals at the Hospital Humanitas in Milan. “Coronavirus has had a terrible impact on my city: every day doctors are risking their life, working continuously, to help other people,” explained Yatay’s founder Umberto de Marco. “We have been incredibly moved by the show of solidarity in our country and although we are still a small brand, we want to make a gesture to show our appreciation.”
March 31, 2020: The PVH Foundation has announced a $1 million commitment toward coronavirus relief, including a $100,000 donation to the UN Foundation and Swiss Philanthropy Foundation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund to benefit the World Health Organization. The group, which serves as the philanthropic arm of Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein parent PVH Corp., also began shipping more than 2 million isolation gowns, masks and other protective medical equipment to support health-care workers in New York. In addition, it has contributed 2 million RMB ($275,000) to the Chinese Society of the Red Cross, and it has provided $50,000 to the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund initiative that aids members of the American fashion community who have been impacted by the pandemic.
March 30, 2020: As demand for masks continues to escalate, Skechers has donated 4,000 N95 respirator masks to health professionals in the South Bay area of Southern California. Two thousand masks were donated to Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Torrance, Calif., with another 2,000 masks donated to Torrance Memorial Medical Center. “The South Bay is our home, where many of us live, and where we go when we eat, shop and need medical help,” said Robert Greenberg, CEO of Skechers. “We have the utmost respect for the medical professionals and hospitals in the South Bay, and to help them, we were able to secure and donate 4,000 essential N95 respirator masks to health-care workers who will need them most.”
March 30, 2020: New Balance is turning over production in its Lawrence, Mass., manufacturing facility to the production of face masks. The company said it hopes to scale production using its other New England factories soon.
March 26, 2020: Keds is honoring women working on the frontline throughout the current coronavirus pandemic with a free pair of shoes. The brand is asking consumers to nominate women through their Instagram who are helping to fight the COVID-19 infection, whether they are caretakers, nurses, truck drivers, sanitation workers or all the women holding down the fort at home.