Since its beginning in May 2006, TOMS has given over 10,000 pairs of shoes to children in Argentina and 50,000 pairs in South Africa through the purchases of our caring customers. In 2008 TOMS plans to give 200,000 pairs of shoes to children in need around the world.
TOMS Shoes is a company started by a man with an epiphany. Blake Mycoskie, third place winner of The Amazing Race II in 2002, returned to Argentina in early 2006, where he was struck by the number of children who could not afford shoes. That's when he decided to redesign alpargatas, the traditional shoe worn by locals. He also decided that for ever pair sold, he would give a pair to a child in need.
TOMS includes lines for men, women, and children (adorably named "Tiny TOMS"), and they have recently debuted Vegan TOMS, made of recycled plastic bottles and hemp. Don't look for those on the website, though, they are sold exclusively through Whole Foods stores. TOMS also sells a few other items besides shoes, including a couple of t-shirts, hats, and a FEED Project Bag. The same goes for the shirts and hats as the shoes: one pair of shoes will be given to a child in need for every purchase. The FEED Bag, however, is a little different:
The FEED bag is designed to raise awareness and funds for hungry children and to help them get into school and out of hunger. Each FEED bag sold will provide a school year of meals for one child in need and give them the hope of an education and a regular meal. Whether you tote your FEED bag to school, work, play, or shop, remember that your bag helped to FEED and educate one child for one school year.
TOMS Vegan line, click for larger size
And since my birthday is next Friday (October 3rd), my favorite TOMS are Olive Patch TOMS and Navy/Plaid Patch Woven TOMS, and the FEED bag is awesome, too. *hint hint, wink wink* 
A girl has to try!
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Wow,Tom Shoes really help those poor people who cannot afford to buy a pair of shoes out.I hope more and more company can start to donate their products to poor people.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:56 pm
What a REALLY GREAT thing to do with the shoes! I wish that more people/companies would do more like that, around the world and in the U.S.. GREAT research, as usual! I still need to post the blog that I have. Hey, this is is for everyone else that checks out your site, try to find out something to write about. Stefanie does a GREAT job, but I'm sure that she'd like to hear something from you guys. HAVE A GOOD ONE!!
September 24th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I want to start off by saying Happy Birthday! Also what a great shoe company. Great idea for shoes and I love how they are helping the world. Thanks for the link about the shoes!
September 24th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Denver and Joanne, it would be great if more companies could do things like TOMS is!
Florida, thank you for the happy birthday!
September 25th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Looks like I'm late, but a belated Happy Birthday
And I really love what TOMS is doing. They should be an example to larger companies. I don't know that their vegan shows would get any style points, but I'd buy them just because of their mission. Knowing that my purchase will help a child in need is all the incentive I need. Thanks for sharing this!
September 25th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Jennae, my birthday is actually next Friday (October 3rd
)
TOMS other shoes are essentially the same design as the vegan ones, just with different colors/patterns. Maybe you'd like them in different colors?
December 15th, 2008 at 9:20 am
This is a really great way to help those in need. Everybody can use a pair of shoes especially those who cannot afford them. I usually wear Superfeet shoes and I like those a lot, but I am considering purchasing a pair of TOMS Shoes.
December 15th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Brian, hope that you do buy a pair!
February 10th, 2009 at 10:16 am
It's really good that they are donating money for the education of poor people and also giving some free shoes. Keep up the good work 'Tom shoes'.
February 16th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I love these! What a fantastic idea, they would actually be perfect for walking the trade show floor! With all the "green friendly exhibits" that are starting to surface, these would be a perfect fit.
April 2nd, 2009 at 2:22 am
Amazing idea. I like this shoes. Thanks for sharing information.
May 5th, 2009 at 1:36 am
the most greatful of these shos is the desgine, really simple and clear, like the mac, right?
June 18th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Happy birthday to you. I like Toms as well. Its design meaning is simple yet handsome. Sincerely speaking, it does well in helping those a little poor people. If there were more and more brands like it, will our country, even world become much more happy and harmonious?
June 24th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Toms are just great! Had some pairs of shoes and must say they do not wear out at all! Always in fashion and always comfortable!