FEED bags

FEED bags were created to do just that. Feed people.

The burlap and organic cotton messenger bags were originally designed by model and activist Lauren Bush, and raise awareness and funds for school feeding programs. The proceeds from FEED go to the United Nations’ World Food Program which distributes food to needy families, mostly concentrating in Africa.

FEED has been able to provide over 60 million school meals to children all around the world. They’ve also given money to UNICEF and raised money for their Vitamin A and micronutrient supplements program.

Buying one bag from their website can supply the micronutrients to a child for a year. They use environmentally friendly materials and fair-labor production.

Aside from bags, FEED also sells clothing and accessories at their website here.

HAPI

The women of Haiti need help. They need jobs. And HAPI exists to give them that.

HAPI, or Haitian Artisans for Peace International, is a fair trade artisan co-op. American workers with HAPI buy embroidered cards from Haitian women and sell them in American, providing safe, healthy and fare working conditions for the artisans. The marketing of the art supports women empowerment and economic development.

Many of the artists working for HAPI have no other form of income, as jobs are not readily available in Haiti, especially since bartering is a normal form of commerce.

The beautifully embroidered cards HAPI sells run about $7 each, and can also be bought in packs. Each card has a symbol or logo for the artist who created it. By going to HAPI’s website and clicking on your artisan’s logo, you can find their personal story and photos.

HAPI also supports other Haitian needs by investing in micro-loans of other entrepreneurs, giving to nutrition initiatives and investing in community programs.

You can buy their cards or learn more about HAPI here.