By Brianne Dela Cruz; Gather & Grow
Barebones has a history steeped in philanthropic work and continues to help lift people out of poverty by providing essential skills, education, and tools. We believe in empowering communities to thrive, both locally and internationally, when resources are available. This abundance mindset is our “why” behind the generous donation of time, energy, knowledge, and products for the benefit of communities near and far. Philanthropic and humanitarian work is at the heart of what we do. It is the mission behind our business initiatives.
The first product ever created by our team was the state-of-the-art emergency shelter. This tent continues to be one of the primary assets we provide to communities in poverty and disaster recovery.
Emergency Shelters
Through our trusted partnerships with Tifie and the world-renowned non-profit organization Direct Relief, Barebones has an ongoing list of impoverished communities where we actively send shelters. A few examples of our work can be found below, or explore our Impact Report for current figures.
- Nine shelters for people in Puerto Rico for use as homes and medical clinics. (One shelter has even been converted into a roaming dental care facility.)
- 40 shelters in the Bahamas, and an additional 15 for Haitian refugees living on the Bahamian islands.
- 50 shelters for Syria for refugees.
- 50 shelters to the new youth outdoor camp at Brigham Young University.
- Over 900 shelters to the world Jamboree in partnership with the Boy Scouts of America.
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A former cop's documentation of relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas / by Peak Design
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With these shelters, people in countries across the globe are receiving the protection they desperately need. One project has an especially heartwarming story: In partnership with One Heart Worldwide, Barebones sent 97 tents to Nepal for use as maternal health clinics for women in rural areas. The Nepalese government offered to pay midwives a stipend if they had a shelter with solar power to deliver babies.
Barebones provided the shelters for birthing, and Goal Zero provided the solar power that made fetal monitoring possible. Both organizations were able to come together for the health and dignity of Nepalese women and their babies during a vulnerable time in their life. Over 424 babies have been born in clean and safe environments, and many Nepalese midwives have been paid for their work.
Nepal, Birthing Centers
Roots Charter High School
For the last six years, we have helped at-risk youth learn how to cultivate their food and uniquely prosper in their educational endeavors. Roots Charter School in Salt Lake City helps at-risk youth attain high school graduation through teaching subjects within the context of gardening and farming. When our team discovered that many high school students didn’t have consistent food at home, often missing breakfasts and dinners, they decided to create the Roots Food Pantry. This pantry provides students with non-perishable food items that they can take home if they are hungry. Because many of the student’s low-income families work on holidays or don’t have funds for Thanksgiving dinner, Barebones employees (in collaboration with Tifie) have sponsored a Thanksgiving luncheon for the students for the last six years.
Our employees have also donated their time to Roots High School through additional projects. We sponsor the school career fair each year. We've provided gardening tools, donated raised gardening beds, and hosted the CSA flower pick-up at the Barebones headquarters. Through Barebones direct service projects, donations, and funding, Roots High School has increased the graduation rate from 30% to over 80%. Through this safe, educational program, high school students develop self-confidence and a sense of belonging in nature and their communities. Learning how to become dependable and hardworking young adults enables students to take on trade school education and jobs following their high school graduation.
Work Gloves & Leather Goods
The production of our Classic Work Gloves aims to transform communities and build bridges with families in Pakistan. These outdoor gloves are handmade by men and women in local Pakistani villages. Through this cross-cultural enterprise, craftsmen and craftswomen earn living wages that help raise their economic standing and allow them to provide more for their families.
Barebones Classic Work Glove Collection
Barebones believes in empowering communities to thrive, both locally and internationally, when resources are available. This abundance mindset is their “why” behind the generous donation of time, energy, knowledge, and products for the benefit of communities near and far. For Barebones, philanthropic and humanitarian work is at the heart of what they do. In the variety of the do-good projects they’ve taken on over the years, it is obvious how interwoven this ethic is in their business initiatives.
We are assured it will continue to be part of their story for many years to come.
