Running Brands that Give Back

When I first started running I definitely noticed that runners are a breed of their own. They have a close-knit community that is hard to understand unless you are a part of it (sort of like our own little blogging community!)

And then something like the Boston Marathon happens and I understand this community. I mean seriously, people who had just run 26.2 miles kept on running to donate blood at the local hospital.

Runners are definitely amazing. They are compassionate and care about others. Here are some of my favorite running brands that help others:
Janji 

Janji is a running apparel brand that provides food and water to those in need. The founders of Janji, saw the dichotomy between runners who need hundreds of gallons of water to train and the severe global water shortage. They sought out to develop a brand of running apparel that could actually help people.

A portion of each sale goes to help the global food and water crisis. Whether that means you buy shorts that give 16 packets of nutritional medicine to a malnourished Haitian child or a shirt that gives an average of one season’s worth of water to a Kenyan family.

Check out their stuff.

BIC Bands 

BIC stands for “Because I Can” and the heart of this cute headband making company is to raise money for those who can’t. Each month a portion of the proceeds are given to a different charity.

Plus how can you go wrong with a headband that doesn’t slip off your head?
See all their styles. 

Columbia

Columbia is likely a brand name you recognize, but did you know that they are passionate about giving back?

"At Columbia Sportswear, we are committed to building a company of which we can all be proud – not only of the innovative products we create and the financial results we achieve, but the manner in which we achieve them. Whether it’s responsible sourcing, giving back to our communities, or reducing our environmental impact, we believe corporate responsibility is a company wide effort.” (via Columbia website)

Columbia partners with a number of organizations including World Vision and Mercy Corps.
Shop here.
 
Also check out their partner brands Montrail, Mountain Hardware and Sorel.


Medals 4 Mettle 
Now I haven’t actually run enough races to accumulate extra race medals, but maybe you have?

“In 2005, Medals4Mettle was started by marathon runners who awarded their finisher’s medals to others who demonstrated similar mettle, or courage. M4M facilitates the gifting of earned marathon, half marathon, and triathlon finishers’ medals from event participants to children and adults dealing with chronic or debilitating illnesses who have demonstrated similar mettle, or courage in bravely facing these challenges.” (via M4M website)

We know that racing is often symbolic of our lives. This company gets that and wants to honor those who are simply running the race to stay alive.

Find out where you can donate your own medals here:


Soles4Souls
Runners are supposed to replace their shoes every 3-6 months. So what is one to do with all their used sneakers? Donate them!

“Founded in 2004, Soles4Souls is a global not-for-profit institution dedicated to fighting the devastating impact and perpetuation of poverty through the distribution of shoes and clothing.” (via Soles4Souls website)
Find out how you can participate and donate here:


What charitable brands do you buy? Do you know of an awesome brand that we can add to this list? 

*We are not being compensated in any way to mention these brands, we just like them a lot and thought you might too.

About Angi

Angi loves Jesus, coffee, baseball and baking cakes. She is a missionary to college students and can't think of anything she'd rather do to serve God. Angi first met the Lord while climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa but really understood His love and grace as a freshman in college. Her heart is to invest in college students in the same way that many others invested in her. You can find her blogging over at Stuff Angi Does where she tells stories about Jesus, college students, and life. You can also find her on facebook, twitter, pintrest and instagram.

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