Companies Embracing Buy-One-Give-One Strategies: Sackcloth & Ashes And Yoobi

We close out this series of question and answers with brands with strong buy-one-give-one (BOGO) programs by chatting with a firm that is providing blankets to homeless shelters and another sending classroom supplies to schools across America.

Sackcloth & Ashes (blankets) Bob Dalton, CEO 

Bob Dalton

Sackcloth & Ashes

David Hessekiel: How does the BOGO model work at Sackcloth & Ashes? 

Bob Dalton: For every blanket someone purchases, we give a blanket to their local homeless shelter. Once someone purchases a blanket, we take note and document that a shelter close to the customer’s zip code will be sent a blanket as well. The goal from the very start of the company was to evolve the one-for-one model by making it local. I could have started a non-profit, raised money to buy blankets, and donated those blankets to shelters, but I thought a more innovative, long-term, sustainable approach would be allowing people in on the mission – giving them the ability to receive a product and make a difference down the street from their home. 

Hessekiel: With the background of TOMS’ move, are you planning to stick with the BOGO model? What do you see as the ongoing social and business benefits of that approach? 

Dalton: Yes. Because blankets are a universal product and an incredible gift, the market has endless opportunities for growth from the business side. From the giveback side, there is and will be an endless need to provide blankets to homeless shelters and people affected by natural disasters over the years. If we provide so many blankets to shelters in the United States that none are in need, we will focus our efforts on shelters and disaster relief globally.

Blanket from Sackcloth & Ashes

Sackcloth & Ashes

Hessekiel: How important do you think your BOGO concept is to your consumers? 

Dalton: Very important. People don’t just want to know that they made an impact, but how they made an impact. The one-for-one model accomplishes that, especially if the organization they are helping is in their local community. Then it hits home. A blanket is an intimate product – something that you wrap yourself in – that you find comfort in. It’s powerful when you make the connection that, because of you, someone in need also is able to wrap themselves in a blanket and find comfort as well.

Yoobi  (school supplies) Ido Leffler, CEO

Ido Leffler

Yoobi

Hessekiel: How does the BOGO model work at Yoobi?

Ido Leffler: Yoobi’s give-back program is simple: for every Yoobi item purchased, a Yoobi item is donated to a U.S. classroom in need. Classrooms and schools are defined by our non-profit partner, the Kids In Need Foundation (KINF), as K-5 classrooms in schools where 70 percent or more of students qualify for free or reduced lunch through the National School Lunch Program. When a Yoobi item is sold it triggers a donated item to fill a Yoobi Classroom Pack. Our classroom packs include fundamental supplies like pencils, glue sticks, erasers, sharpeners, rulers, folders, crayons, colored pencils and other items to help students in under-served communities. 

Yoobi partnered with Verizon to donate essential school supplies to kids

Yoobi

Hessekiel: With the background of TOMS’ move, are you planning to stick with the BOGO model?  What do you see as the ongoing social and business benefits to that approach? 

Leffler: The short answer is Yes. Yoobi is dedicated to help remove barriers to education that teachers and students face and we believe it is our responsibility to create solutions that address some of the biggest problems facing our society today. Providing tangible school supplies for all students is one of them. We are also looking to help with new school essentials. Most recently we donated over 165K hand sanitizers and masks to Los Angeles schools and youth clubs to help keep students and staff safe as we start to head back into the classroom. At Yoobi, we have set up our business in such a way so that we can sustain this model helping provide all students and teachers no matter their zip code with the tools to succeed. 

Hessekiel: How important do you think your BOGO concept is to your consumers?

Leffler: Our audience of parents, teachers and Gen-Z consumers are passionate about using brands that have a giveback component. Through countless thank you notes, shout outs on social and reviews, we are getting direct feedback from our customers that they support our mission and want to help where they can.