By Beth Doane, Contributing Editor
Kristen Bell is widely respected as a beautiful and talented actress, but she is also passionate about creating profound ways to make a difference in the world.
In 2013 she co-founded the brand This Bar Saves Lives with three other actor/activists. The gourmet snack brand is created with all-natural, gluten-free, non-GMO, Fair Trade ingredients made with care right here in America, and for each bar sold, they deliver a packet of life-saving food to a child in need.
This year Kristen is launching a special edition bag she co-designed called This Bag Saves Lives. For each bag sold, the company will provide a malaria treatment to a person in need of the medication. “A few years ago, we set out to create a company that infuses philanthropy into everyday items to help save lives around the world,” shares Bell. “In the first year of business, via sales of our gourmet granola bars, we provided more than 350,000 packets of life-saving nutrients to children in danger of dying from malnutrition. We designed This Bag Saves Lives to be an easy and cost-effective way to empower consumers to help stop Malaria from claiming innocent lives by offering lifesaving treatments with each purchase.
Kristen co-designed the bag with the brand Apolis and the classic jute tote is sustainably handcrafted by artisans in Bangladesh, 100% vegan, made from recycled materials, and features a waterproof lining to protect your fresh veggies and cold vino. To distribute the treatments, This Bar Saves Lives has partnered with FIMRC (Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children) who have been working hard to help the over 200 million people suffering from malaria worldwide.
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One such effort is their $1 reusable cup, use of which saves cups, lids, and a dime from each beverage purchase. It’s an inexpensive way for customers to make a difference. The cup, available in “tall” or “grande,” is recommended for 30 uses, and baristas will even sanitize it before each refill. Once the one buck cup is worn out, it can be thrown in the recycling bin. The design of the cup is intended to look just like the company’s iconic white cups—sporting everything from the symbolic green mermaid to the order boxes, because as Starbucks’ Director of Environmental Impact, Jim Hanna states, “The iconic white cup is our billboard.” Also, for some people, holding a classic Starbucks cup is part of an image they want to maintain.
Another initiative Starbucks is starting to push to the forefront of customers’ minds is the use of their ceramic mugs. Little do most customers know, but you can ask your barista to have your coffee “for here,” and they will provide your drink in a homey ceramic mug. This “for here” option will save paper cups, plastic lids, and cardboard sleeves from being used extraneously by customers enjoying their beverages within the store.
