Alright food lovers, I have a great way for you to have your cake and eat it too when it comes to giving back. Mashable.com recently reported on a company that is doing just that, only the cake comes to your front door while another piece of cake is sent to an organization called No Kid Hungry.

Love with Food is an online based company that sells a monthly membership to people interested in specialized foods and snacks. For $14 a month, the company sends their members a box of delectable goodies that aren’t off your local grocery store shelf, but from gourmet collections that aren’t the easiest to find, but are the most delectable around.

For each box sold, Love for Food donates one meal to the U.S. based food bank, No Kid Hungry.  But the giving doesn’t stop there.  For members who want to order more of a specific product that they received in their treat box, they can visit the Love with Food site to purchase a full-size of that product and an additional meal will be donated.

It doesn’t take much for a company to utilize their business for the greater good.  Love with Food is a great example of that.  If only there were more companies out there who thought the same way.

Visit the Love for Food website to learn more.  You can also visit their Facebook and Twitter pages to learn about their latest deals and some great recipes.

As the holiday season inches closer and closer, the pressure to find that perfect gift starts to take its toll and we just want the gift giving process to be over with already.  This year, instead of choosing to buy them something just to complete the gift exchange cycle, choose to give the gift of giving back. 

Charity Choice is a non-profit organization that started as an umbrella organization back in 2000 for supporting children with special needs called The Special Kids Fund. In 2004, a Board Member of the Special Kids Fund wanted to make a charitable donation in memory of a business associate’s father who recently passed away.  Although helping children with special needs was something the organization felt a deep connection with, they also saw an opportunity to expand their umbrella even further to all different kinds of causes.

After a short couple of months of development, the organization developed Charity Choice. Now, almost eight years later, Charity Choice has grown upward and outward offering more than 600 charities for customers to choose from.

The bonus of using Charity Choice is the simplicity of it.  Upon visiting the site, you can purchase an e-card that can be emailed or even added to a Facebook wall. This is especially helpful for those who are in search of a great last minute holiday gift.  You can also choose to purchase a physical card that can be mailed to the recipient.  Once you confirm the dollar amount a confirmation email will be sent. That email can then be used for tax deduction purposes. 

If you’re worried about online privacy, don’t.  Charity Choice does NOT share your information.  It is completely confidential and offers an ‘opt-in’ option.  If you’re worried about an expiration date, don’t worry about that either.  The cards don’t expire. 

Once the charity gift card is received by the recipient, they have the option of choosing up to three charities from the Charity Choice site to donate the funds to. With more than 600 charities to choose from, that might take awhile.  But you can be sure that there will be at least one organization listed that your gift recipient will find to donate their funds to. 

So don’t fret this holiday season about giving that perfect someone the perfect gift.  Give them the gift of choice and a reason to get involved with charitable giving.

Visit Charity Choice to learn more.  You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

As we all prepare to spend time with our families around one big table of turkey, stuffing and other various forms of homemade goodness, be thankful for the food on your plate as some families won’t have that same luxury this year.  One company is using their site to help fight hunger this holiday season. Groupon, the online deals site, has expanded their offerings by partnering with Feeding America for a charitable donation project.

If you’re familiar with how Groupon works, you know that you pay a discounted price for everything from restaurant meals and Laser Hair Removal visits to pottery classes and vacations.  Feeding America-The Loop was a campaign that ran for two weeks on the site as a Groupon ‘deal’. By donating the Groupon price of $11 (which was actually $22), customers were able to feed a family of four for two weeks. Beverage giant, Pepsi, also got on board and promised to match every donation up to $250,000.  The campaign ended with much success as the company projected they would receive 200 donations, the deal actually ended with more than 5,000 donations.

Another initiative that Groupon has started in lieu of the overwhelming response to Feeding America-The Loop campaign is the offering of $1 lunch deals on their new Now! Deals option.  The site plans on continuing their charitable efforts throughout the rest of the year and into 2012 by donating a portion of each sale to Feeding America.

Whether it’s Groupon, donating specifically to Feeding America or however you decide to give back this holiday season, make sure you get involved somehow.  There are so many families out there who need a boost and it’s up to us to come together and help out our fellow Americans.

To learn more about ways to give back, visit our Facebook page to see all the great and easy ways to give back.

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If your significant other is dropping hints about receiving diamonds this holiday season, let me assure you that Tiffany & Co. is the way to go.  With the recent launch of their sustainability website, you can rest assure that you are killing two birds with one ‘stone’(no pun intended) as you make the one you love happy and endorse one of the most iconic jewelry brands that conducts responsible business practices.

The issue of conflict diamonds is something that I never knew much about until I saw that Leonardo DiCaprio movie, Blood Diamond.  The awareness of conflict diamonds has forever changed the marketplace for diamonds, precious stones and metals.  The good news is, a significant amount of changes have occurred since 1992 when the issue of conflict diamonds was first reported.  One great measure that was taken was the adoption of the Kimberly Process, a certification process that prevents gems and diamonds of this nature from entering the market.  Tiffany and Co. uses this process for all of their precious stones.

The long time symbol for Tiffany and Co. has been their blue boxes and gift bags.  Tiffany’s creates their packaging with environmental responsibility in mind.  In 2010, the materials used to make the blue boxes and bags were from 100% FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified materials and more than 83% of those materials are recycled.   Tiffany and Co. maintains the use of responsibly sourced paper.

Tiffany and Co. also works with NGOs in an effort to improve standards within the mining industry. By combining their efforts with local jewelry retailers, Tiffany and Co. strives to raise awareness for responsible sourcing and enhance regulations on the mining industry.

So when you’re thinking about what piece of jewelry to get that special someone and if they haven’t circled it in a magazine for you already, make a purchase you will both be happy with.  One, they’ll be shocked that you went big this year, shopping at Tiffany and Co.; and two you’ll have made a socially and environmentally responsible investment.  Now that’s a great gift!

Witness is a non-profit organization started by singer/songwriter, Peter Gabriel in 1992. It all came to fruition back in 1988 when he traveled with Amnesty International’s Human Rights Now! Tour.  Gabriel traveled with a Sony Handycam and captured video imagery of his experience.  Then Witness was then developed with the slogan, “See It, Film It, Change It.”   To date the organization continues Gabriel’s efforts and is dedicated to international human rights advocacy as they provide support and training to video activists, teaching individuals how to use video effectively in advocacy campaigns.

CPXample had the privilege of meeting Matisse Bustos Hawkes, Communications Manager for Witness, at the Social Good Summit back in September. We recently caught up with Ms. Hawkes to find out more about all the good things that Witness has been doing.

Q: Can you tell us more about a partnership program that Witness is currently working on?

MBH: One of the groups we’re working with is the Habitat International Coalition in Brazil.  As we see the World Cup come to the country in 2014 and the Summer Olympics in 2016, it’s causing a lot of excitement in the country, but it’s also coming at a cost to many communities that are being systematically uprooted without notice or compensation which is a direct violation of International law.

The other issue we are working on is Gender based violence in scenarios of armed conflict, partnering with a group called Women’s Initiative for Gender Justice based in the Netherlands, but have regional offices in Africa.  The focus is to increases access to justice for those who survive such instances.

Q: Peter Gabriel is the founder of Witness.  Can you tell us more about his connection to the organization?

MBH: It’s a great part of the Witness story and we are very proud of our association with him. For a long time, Peter has been an activist in human rights work. When he was on tour with Amnesty International, he was meeting with human rights activists and he was hearing the stories from these individuals who had been completely denied a voice.  Not only had there been a complete injustice, but their entire stories had been whitewashed or made up. Then with the camera that he had, he thought what if these people had a video camera in their hands and filmed what they’re talking about.  Could governments or people in power then deny the images? That’s what Witness continues to be about is trying to share with people are the best practices and tools that they can use in their particular circumstances or their particular campaign.

Q: Is there a particular ‘Witness’ story or moment that still resonates with you?

MBH: One of the women’s advocacy groups we recently partnered with in Zimbabwe had been documenting instances of abuse, rape and torture during election cycles there.   These women were contacted by the organization because they had been picked up either because they had been perceived or had an affiliation with the opposition candidacy.  Bands of youth militias would come and take them, gang rape and/or torture them over a period of several days. Some of these women, however traumatized, appeared on camera without any anonymity and would share their story on camera and talk about what had happened to them.  They were not afraid because they truly believed that by sharing the truth of the situation, that this kind of thing would not happen to them again, or anyone else for that matter.  That for me has been one of the most powerful experiences.

Witness is an extraordinary group that has found a truly significant way to affect change in the way issues with human rights are addressed.  Their continued work in the field of visual storytelling advocacy can make a difference in the lives of those who would otherwise not have the opportunity to share their side of the story and initiate change and justice for themselves and their community.

Check out their website at www.witness.org and connect with them on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.  To learn more about the Focus for Change Benefit Dinner and Concert, scheduled for tomorrow Thursday Nov. 10, 2011 visit www.witness.org/gala

What shoes are you wearing today? Are they your favorite or are they the ones that you can’t wait to take off the moment you get home. Either way, you are wearing a pair of shoes today, right?  That’s not the same truth for more than 300 million children around the world.  One Tennessee based organization, Soles4Souls, is doing their part to help solve the problem.

Since 2005, Soles4Souls has donated more than 16 million pairs of shoes to 127 countries worldwide, including the United States.  The organization has also offered aid to victims of natural disasters and has donated more than 1 million pairs of shoes to areas affected by the Japanese Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. 

This past year, FlipFlop Wines, a California based company, partnered with Soles4Souls and has donated more than $100,000 from wine sales to the shoe charity with a promise of donating one pair of shoes for every bottle sold.  But that’s not even the best part.  On November 1^st, 2011, FlipFlop Wines started hosting a Sweepstakes on their Facebook page for a chance to win an international volunteer trip for four to help out with the Soles4Souls cause and participate in the experience of a lifetime.

So, regardless of your shoe wearing status today, remember those who have only imagined what it would be like to be in YOUR pair.  All you have to do is buy a bottle of wine…or two in order to make a difference. 

To find out how you can get involved with Soles4Souls, visit their site at www.soles4souls.org.  You can also visit www.flipflopwines.com to see the different varieties of wine they offer and where you can pick up your bottle. If you want to sign up for the Volunteer Sweepstakes, check out the Flipflop Wines Facebook page for more information.

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Back in September, CPXample attended the Social Good Summit here in New York City. While there, global communications and technology giant, Ericsson, was there filming for their Networked Society initiative. Besides meeting some of the most talented and friendly “do-gooders” that made up their team, I got an inside look at the Networked Society and the company’s Technology for Good work.

Ericsson’s Networked Society is about using the digital tools that have become second nature to us as a way of establishing connectivity among people, communities and ideas on a global level. It’s also about doing right by our technological advancements and using them to initiate positive changes.

Over the days spent at the Social Good Summit, Ericsson’s team, (including the company CEO Hans Vestberg and VP of Sustainability, Elaine Weidman) spread their ideas behind using technology for good and where they see the future of global sustainability heading by using the power of technology.

The ‘How Come’ project was meant to start a conversation about these ideas. The Ericsson team went around and asked some of the Social Good Summit attendees for a good ‘How Come’ question. CPXample’s How come question was, ‘How come there isn’t a site or a search engine dedicated to the Millennium Development Goals.

The Networked Society is just one of the many great things that Ericsson is working on in their efforts to create global connectivity. Watch the videos below of some very interesting and definitely thought provoking, ‘How Come’ questions from other Social Good Summit attendees. You can also visit the Networked Society and submit your own ‘How Come’ question or follow them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/NetworkedSociety

Kraft Foods brand, Maxwell House, has been brewing up some great things in communities across the country with their program, Drops of Good.  By partnering with Rebuilding Together, a nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities across the country, the Drops of Good Project has been quite the success.

Actress Julie Bowen, from ABC’s, Modern Family, joined in on the effort and has been a volunteer for the project in recent months.  This year, the project donated funding to 10 community houses.  Five of those community houses received $50,000 worth of renovations.  Additionally, five others received $5,000 to help with renovating projects and more than 100 other organizations received $1,000 in “Do-Gooder-Grants”.  The project was voted on by the communities themselves and the renovation projects were completed by volunteers and contractors.

But even though the voting has ended for the 2011 project, Maxwell’s Drops of Good continues to work alongside Rebuilding Together and offers a variety of volunteer opportunities.  Upon visiting the site, an interactive map will help you to find an affiliate of Rebuilding Together and more information about volunteering and getting involved in a program near your area.

To learn more about Maxwell House’s Drops of Good Project, you can visit their site.  You can also follow them on Facebook and post about project ideas for their 2012 initiatives. To learn more about Rebuilding Together and their upcoming initiatives, visit their site at www.rebuildingtogether.org.

The New York Times reported on a story the other day about a couple of big-city advertising executives who took their industry knowledge, their want to help American Veterans and yes, their money, into a brand that could both sell and give back. I can already see some of you shaking your heads at the mere thought of these ‘corporate enemies’ disguised as good Samaritans. Let me leave it to the New York Times article to say it better, ‘the goal is doing well by doing good, taking advantage of the consumerist nature of American society to raise awareness, and money, for charitable and social causes.’

The two ad executives turned cause-marketing crusaders are Alan Blum and Charles Herbstreith, of Leo Burnett in Chicago and TBWA in New York. For years they have worked together from an agency standpoint, now they’re taking their talents in a different direction. Their brand, Five Point Snacks, was developed with the intention to not only donate a portion of their sales to the Veterans Aid Foundation, but to also create jobs by hiring American Veterans.

The Five Point Snacks line is made of five different munchies with military inspired names like: G.I Crunches, Sailor Knots pretzels and Airmen Popcorn. Each goodie is available at Duane Reade and BJ’s Wholesale Club stores with each portion of sale being donated to the Veteran’s Aid Foundation.

Since the founders have a bit of a knack for advertising, the brand has a clever logo design, with the slogans, “Eat, Live, Give” and “One small snack company. One great mission.” They have also created the website (www.fivepointsnacks.com), taken on some social media initiatives with Facebook and Twitter pages, and have developed some campaign strategies with newspapers, in-store displays and even a television commercial.

As this small brand continues to grow, they develop funding, jobs and awareness for a worthy cause. It’s a great way for these post-ad exes to use their talents to help American Veterans and it’s an inspiring move to take what you know how to do best and apply it to something good.

The Clinton Foundation recently received a somewhat viral boost with a parody featuring several A-List appearances including Kevin Spacey, Ben Stiller, Matt Damon and Ted Danson, in an effort to create a greater awareness for the Foundation’s initiatives.

The Clinton Foundation hosts a variety of projects that support sustainable changes in the environment, global health works, economic growth and community development.  Some of the highlighted goals of the Clinton Foundation are:

The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), which was established in 2005, is the fundamental idea of collaborating with the private sector and nongovernmental organizations, as well as global leaders, to turn ideas into action when it comes to moving forward from our current state of globalization. Learn more…

The Clinton Climate Initiative focuses on three program areas: reducing emissions in populated cities, developing clean energy tactics and putting an end to deforestation. Learn more…

The Clinton Economic Opportunity Initiative promotes access to basic financial services and works alongside business leaders and entrepreneurs to help generate wealth and sustainable economic growth in underprivileged communities.  Learn more…

There are many other great initiatives that the Clinton Foundation is involved with.  Learn more about what projects they are currently working on and find out how you can help by visiting www.clintonfoundation.org.