2019
Socks are the most requested
clothing item in homeless
shelters. Bombas, based in New
York City, is trying to fill that
need: Founded in 2013 on a
“one-for-one” business model,
the company donates a pair of
socks for every pair sold.
(They’ve given away more than
10 million pairs so far.) The
company’s efforts don’t end with
footwear. They also offer paid
internships for people transition-
ing out of homelessness and
have hosted regular pop-up
breakfasts at a local church,
where employees cook the food.
“I thought, wouldn’t it be such a
cool idea that when these people
wake up, there’s a hotel-style
breakfast line,” says Bombas
CEO Dave Heath. “You could
order French toast the way you
want it. You want butter? Maple
syrup?” By regularly exposing
employees “to people who
literally have nothing,” Heath
adds, “I think it creates a sense
of humility and appreciation.”
BOMBAS (#17)
Socially conscious sock retailer