In light of Covid-19, we’re all looking for ways to help. Thankfully, companies both small and large are stepping up. Some are gifting free gear to healthcare workers on the front lines. Others are putting profits aside to design, produce and create much-needed supplies like masks. Many more are donating money to indirect victims of the pandemic, such as hospitality workers in the restaurant industry.
Here is a running list of American businesses (in alphabetical order) you can support by shopping, sharing and donating. This list will be regularly updated.
We plan on surfacing inspirational actions from companies that are going above and beyond to help their own team or others. If you are aware of any examples along these lines, please feel free to bring them to our attention at coronatips@gearpatrol.com.
Adafruit Industries
Adafruit Industries is under the crunch like the rest of us, with its normal open-source chip-making activities on pause for the forseeable future and many of its 130 employees at home (but still on the payroll). In the meantime, the company is working on developing low-cost, disposable, open-source face shields for medical workers, helping to simplify the supply chain constraints by spinning up manufacturing right in New York City.
Adobe
Adobe is offering Photoshop and InDesign free of charge to students worldwide in light of Covid-19. Adobe also announced a $3 million commitment to local and global trusted organizations like Covid-19 Coronavirus Regional Response Fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and Covid-19 Fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Askov Finlayson
Askov Finlayson, the Minnesota-based company that wants to Keep The North Cold, partnered with Second Harvest Heartland to support the hospitality industry. Second Harvest Heartland is one of the nation’s largest hunger-relief organizations. Right now, the team is working with local restaurants to launch Minnesota’s Central Kitchen and get prepared meals to those in need. All profits from the tee go to the organization.
Citizen Watches
Japanese watchmaking giant Citizen announced on Instagram that a portion of proceeds from online sales will go to charities with the aim of supporting those most vulnerable to Covid-19. It will donate to the organization Jewelers for Children that works with charities such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Make A Wish America, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and National CASA Association.
Ergatta
Ergatta brings the rowing experience directly to your home with its at-home machine, and it is using that as an opportunity to give back. For new customers, Ergatta will donate $100 to the Meals on Wheels Covid-19 Response Fund with each purchase. And for existing members, Ergatta is launching new challenges like the Meals on Wheels Race of the Day — the 10-day series of races will increase in distance and each race that meets a certain participant threshold earns a $100 company donation.
Everlane
Shop tees, tanks, hoodies and sweats at Everlane and 100 percent of the profits will go to Feeding America’s Covid-19 Response Fund.
Ford
Ford launched a program called Built to Lend a Hand, offering new buyers up to six months of deferred payments on all 2019 and 2020 vehicles except the F-Series Super Duty. Ford Credit is urging customers seeking payment relief to contact them through Ford Credit Support, the FordPass app or on a special hotline at 1-800-723-4016.
Griffin Claw Brewing Company
Griffin Claw Brewing Company out of Birmingham, Michigan has switched its distilling operations to make free hand santizer for employees, first responders, medical professionals and its local community.
Hedley & Bennett
Hedley & Bennett makes aprons and chef’s gear, but given the times, the team is pivoting to create reusable, protective masks with some oversight from Dr. Robert Cho, the Chief of Staff of Shriners for Children Medical Center in Pasadena, California. While they aren’t FDA-approved, if used correctly, they should help minimize person to person droplet transmission of the virus.
Hyundai
Hyundai is offering 0 percent APR financing and three months of deferred payments on new vehicles through April 30, 2020. Hyundai will cover up to six months of payments during a Covid-19 job loss for buyers who purchase a new vehicle between March 14, 2020 and April 30, 2020. Existng customers who suffer a Covid-19 job loss or medically-related hardship can defer payments for up to three months.
Keen
Keen is giving away 100,000 pairs of shoes to help anyone who needs to free themselves of another expense during this tenuous time. Know someone who needs a pair of boots or shoes? Head to Keen’s website to nominate that person by entering his or her email address.
Kitsbow
The cycling apparel company based in Old Fort, North Carolina, changed gears from designing performance apparel to making face shields and reusable face masks. The first shipment goes out Monday, March 23. Shields are going to Asheville-based Buncombe County Emergency Management and Burke County Emergency Management; masks will head to medical clinics in Salem, Oregon. The team is also selling the masks to local first responders and medical staff and hopes to send them internationally as well.
New Balance Foundation
The Boston-based charitable organization has committed $2 million in non-profit grants to support local, regional and global communities. These funds will be allocated to Global Giving, No Kid Hungry, Boston Resiliency Fund, Groundwork Lawrence, Good Shepherd Food Bank in Maine, the St. Louis Area Foodbank and select organizations from New Balance Foundation’s network of more than 60 grantees around the world, which support children and families with a focus on health, nutrition, education and physical activity.
Oofos
The brand that makes incredibly soft recovery sandals, slippers and lifestyle shoes are planning to donate 1,000 pairs of Oofos shoes to nurses and medical professionals across the country. Healthcare facilities include the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Swedish Hospital in Chicago, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center in Florida, Prebys Cardiovascular Institute at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla and Palomar Medical Center in California, Hackensack Meridian Health at Pascack Valley Medical Center in New Jersey and Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center in Atlanta. Oofos will also offer special offers and benefits to nurses across the country through RealID.me.
Pacific Shaving Co.
The Pacific Shaving Co. is planning to donate 100 percent of profits from the website to the CDC foundation through March 31st.
Rhone
Rhone, the men’s activewear and clothing brand, is donating 10 percent of all proceeds to the Direct Relief foundation through May 1. The foundation works to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty and emergencies and spans all 50 states.
Rogue
Rogue specializes in Crossfit equipment like barbells, plates and weights, but the company is switching gears to manufacture medical supplies. The supply-chain team started sourcing raw materials and supplies for local medical groups, and it’s prototyping masks. Rogue also just hired 100 people from the community to help support demand.
Theragun
Beyond discounting products, Theragun, the massage gun company will donate a portion of all sales to Feeding America. Each Theragun sold will provide 100 meals to
people across America. The goal is to donate 100,000 meals. The team at Theragun is also donating devices to hospital break rooms across the country to help those on the front lines banish tension and stress and keep their bodies feeling good. If you know someone who needs one and is a medical professional, DM Theragun on Instagram.
Tread and Butter
Know a nurse or hospital worker who could use a new pair of insoles to stay upright during those long hours at the hospital? Fill out this form and the Tread & Butter team (known for its performance cork insoles) will do its best to get a pair to them.
Pirelli
Pirelli has decided to cancel the production and launch of the 2021 Pirelli Calendar. In the context of other initiatives already undertaken by the company, a project called The Cal will donate 100,000 euros to the fight against and research into Coronavirus.
