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Packed With Purpose turns ordinary gifting into extraordinary impact

The Certified B Corp Bundle from Packed With Purpose is a delicious gift basket that truly gives back.

Packed With Purpose turns ordinary gifting into extraordinary impact

Upworthy earns a percentage of revenue from the purchase of items mentioned in this article.


In today's throwaway culture, where gifts feel devoid of meaning and often end up collecting dust, an innovative company is shifting gift-giving dynamics from generic, forgettable items to meaningful contributions that foster real, positive change. Packed With Purpose nurtures a positive shift in our gift-giving culture, underlining the potential for presents to carry far more weight than mere objects.

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Packed With Purpose Certified B Corp Bundle
Certified B Corp Bundle
$55 at Packed With Purpose

Born out of a vision to create more meaningful connections, Packed With Purpose doesn't just sell gift boxes—they curate experiences that celebrate quality, integrity, and impactful indulgence. The company's mission goes beyond the concept of a 'feel-good' gift. They are here to create an impact that reverberates far beyond the moment of unboxing. Each item in their carefully curated gift sets is meticulously vetted, ensuring they align with the company's ethos of environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical business practices.


The Certified B Corp Bundle is the epitome of Packed With Purpose's approach to gifting. This delightfully diverse collection of gourmet treats is a cornucopia of flavors sourced from Certified B Corp businesses. These companies have met rigorous transparency, accountability, and social and environmental performance standards. The bundle represents a commitment to delivering a delectable gift and giving back to the community and planet. It's not just a gift—it's a statement of purpose.


Packed With Purpose

With a deep-rooted belief in purposeful living and ethical business, Packed With Purpose demonstrates what a conscious company can achieve. It is committed to environmental sustainability, corporate transparency, and social impact, focusing on aligning with brands and suppliers who share these same values. Their purposeful products support diverse, women-owned businesses and initiatives tackling food insecurity, youth development, and wellness programs, among others.

Unpacking the operations of Packed With Purpose offers insight into the meticulous care they infuse into every stage of their product selection process. Their dedicated team of impact enthusiasts vets each potential product and its producer, ensuring they meet the company's high standards. These are standards not only of taste and quality but also of ethical and sustainable practices.

For example, Packed with Purpose is proud to partner with socially conscious brands like Together We Bake and WOODCHUCK USA. Founded in 2012 by Stephanie Wright and Tricia Sabatini, Together We Bake is an organization that empowers women in the nation's capital by offering them second chances through training for careers in the food service and hospitality industry. This exemplary enterprise provides a ray of hope and a path to self-esteem for many women with challenging pasts.

In contrast, but equally remarkable, WOODCHUCK USA is a venture rooted in the idea of connecting people with nature. Crafted with sustainably sourced wood, their products are as unique as their mission to “leave the planet better than we found it.” With every product sold, a tree is planted in locations as diverse as Madagascar, Nepal, and their home state of Minnesota. Whether it's chic wooden luggage tags or an artisanal journal, each purchase helps reforest our planet.

This process of careful curation to find companies like those mentioned above guarantees that every substitution, every item in every box, is of equal quality and impact. They understand that every product has a story, and with Packed With Purpose, each story is one of positive impact and purposeful change. And because of their commitment to environmental sustainability, all Packed with Purpose gift boxes and packaging is made from recyclable materials and printed on FSC-certified paper.

Understanding the Certified B Corp Certification

When we talk about Certified B Corporations, or B Corps, we're referring to a special type of business.

B Corps aren't just about turning a profit — they're about driving positive change in the world. To earn the B Corp Certification, a company must undergo a rigorous evaluation process by B Lab, a non-profit entity that measures a company's entire social and environmental performance. This certification means they've reached the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and social impact — it's like a badge of honor for businesses committed to doing good.

But why does this certification matter? Think of it as a promise. When you see a product from a Certified B Corp, it carries an assurance of ethical practices and sustainable impact. It tells you that the company behind the product is dedicated to quality and creating positive change in the world. These businesses understand their role extends beyond their products to include their impact on employees, communities, and the environment. In essence, a Certified B Corp is a business that balances purpose and profit, demonstrating that companies can be a force for good. It's not just about doing business — it's about doing business right.


The Certified B Corp Bundle: A Gift That Gives Back

Let's step into the world of the Certified B Corp Bundle, where every item tells a story of purposeful impact. Each box reveals a collection of culinary delights, from the indulgent organic dark chocolate bar with roasted hazelnut pieces by Lake Champlain Chocolates to the refreshing, lightly sweetened cold brew coffee by BLK & Bold. It offers nutrient-dense apple cinnamon energy bites from Sun & Swell Foods, and a warming breakfast blend tea with a hint of citrus and vanilla by The Tea Spot. The bundle's sweetness continues with crunchy, allergen-free birthday cake cookies from Partake Foods and buttery, bite-sized sweet toffee cookies by Feed Your Soul. Each product represents the dedication of these Impact Partners to both taste and social responsibility.

Taste is paramount in the Certified B Corp Bundle, a collection where quality meets conscious indulgence. Expect to encounter the full-bodied flavors of Vermont in a fair-trade chocolate bar or the satisfying crunch of allergen-free cookies. You'll delight in the refreshing sweetness of cold brew coffee and the inviting warmth of a breakfast blend tea. Yet, behind these delectable treats is a commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and the highest production standards. It's a celebration of the best Certified B Corps have to offer in terms of taste and integrity.

With each purchase of the Certified B Corp Bundle, you're not just buying a gift — you're contributing to a greater cause. Each product supports diverse, women-owned, and socially conscious businesses and extends aid to programs ranging from cancer research and wellness initiatives to workforce development and food education. For example, Feed Your Soul partners with organizations to provide meals to those in need, while The Tea Spot donates a part of its profits to cancer survivors. Purchasing a Certified B Corp Bundle means joining a movement of conscious consumption and contributing to the mission of these purpose-driven businesses. It's not just a gift — it's an extraordinary impact in a box.

The Impact Partners

Let's pull back the curtain on some remarkable Impact Partners contributing to the Certified B Corp Bundle. Take Lake Champlain Chocolates, a family-owned business that crafts small-batch gourmet chocolates with organic, fair-trade cocoa and all-natural ingredients. This partnership perfectly embodies their commitment to quality, integrity, and sustainability. Another standout is BLK & Bold, a black-owned business that pledges 5% of its coffee and tea proceeds to support domestic youth in need. Their partnership with Packed With Purpose is a testament to their commitment to social impact.

Then there's Feed Your Soul, a business that seamlessly blends delicious treats with philanthropy. With each purchase, they donate a portion of the proceeds to organizations fighting homelessness and hunger. Partnering with Packed With Purpose is a natural alignment of values, further reinforcing their mission to feed the body and soul. Each partner's story is unique, yet they share a common thread: a commitment to ethical, sustainable business practices and a desire to create a positive impact in the world. When you gift a Certified B Corp Bundle, you're not just delivering flavors and treats; you're sharing these inspiring stories and becoming a part of this positive impact narrative.

The Power of Purposeful Gifting

When you choose the Certified B Corp Bundle from Packed With Purpose, you're making a statement — a statement of care, consciousness, and change. Each bundle represents an investment in sustainable business practices, support for diverse and women-owned businesses, and a contribution to various socially conscious causes. It's a tangible testament to the power of purposeful purchasing.

Whether it's a birthday, anniversary, or a gift for a business client, the Certified B Corp Bundle can turn an ordinary gesture into an extraordinary impact. It's a gift that goes beyond delightful tastes and flavors — an expression of shared values, a celebration of social consciousness, and a heartfelt gesture that leaves a lasting positive footprint.

Make an Impact
Packed With Purpose Certified B Corp Bundle
Certified B Corp Bundle
$55 at Packed With Purpose

If you're ready to turn gift-giving into a powerful act of purposeful impact, click here to explore the Certified B Corp Bundle from Packed With Purpose. See how a simple box of delectable treats can unfold into a world of positive change. Dive in, make a difference, and join us on this journey of purposeful gifting.

Planet

Easy (and free!) ways to save the ocean

The ocean is the heart of our planet. It needs our help to be healthy.

Ocean Wise

Volunteers at a local shoreline cleanup

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The ocean covers over 71% of the Earth’s surface and serves as our planet’s heart. Ocean currents circulate vital heat, moisture, and nutrients around the globe to influence and regulate our climate, similar to the human circulatory system. Cool, right?

Our ocean systems provide us with everything from fresh oxygen to fresh food. We need it to survive and thrive—and when the ocean struggles to function healthfully, the whole world is affected.

Pollution, overfishing, and climate change are the three biggest challenges preventing the ocean from doing its job, and it needs our help now more than ever. Humans created the problem; now humans are responsible for solving it.

#BeOceanWise is a global rallying cry to do what you can for the ocean, because we need the ocean and the ocean needs us. If you’re wondering how—or if—you can make a difference, the answer is a resounding YES. There are a myriad of ways you can help, even if you don’t live near a body of water. For example, you can focus on reducing the amount of plastic you purchase for yourself or your family.

Another easy way to help clean up our oceans is to be aware of what’s known as the “dirty dozen.” Every year, scientists release an updated list of the most-found litter scattered along shorelines. The biggest culprit? Single-use beverage and food items such as foam cups, straws, bottle caps, and cigarette butts. If you can’t cut single-use plastic out of your life completely, we understand. Just make sure to correctly recycle plastic when you are finished using it. A staggering 3 million tons of plastic ends up in our oceans annually. Imagine the difference we could make if everyone recycled!

The 2022 "Dirty Dozen" ListOcean Wise

If you live near a shoreline, help clean it up! Organize or join an effort to take action and make a positive impact in your community alongside your friends, family, or colleagues. You can also tag @oceanwise on social if you spot a beach that needs some love. The location will be added to Ocean Wise’s system so you can submit data on the litter found during future Shoreline Cleanups. This data helps Ocean Wise work with businesses and governments to stop plastic pollution at its source. In Canada, Ocean Wise data helped inform a federal ban on unnecessary single-use plastics. Small but important actions like these greatly help reduce the litter that ends up in our ocean.

Ocean Wise, a conservation organization on a mission to restore and protect our oceans, is focused on empowering and educating everyone from individuals to governments on how to protect our waters. They are making conservation happen through five big initiatives: monitoring and protecting whales, fighting climate change and restoring biodiversity, innovating for a plastic-free ocean, protecting and restoring fish stocks, and finally, educating and empowering youth. The non-profit believes that in order to rebuild a resilient and vibrant ocean within the next ten years, everyone needs to take action.

Become an Ocean Wise ally and share your knowledge with others. The more people who know how badly the ocean needs our help, the better! Now is a great time to commit to being a part of something bigger and get our oceans healthy again.

@davidcsmalley/TikTok

But can she start it?

David C. Smalley, a comedian and podcaster, regularly gives us some generational humor by exposing his 19-year-old daughter Talissa to relics of the past. You know, things like CDs, phonebooks, remote controllers…feeling old yet?

Recently, Smalley challenged Talissa with navigating a standard U-Haul storage truck. She had to 1) unlock the door 2) roll down a window and 3) start the engine.

For those of us who grew up before the 90s, this might sound like the easiest challenge ever. But apparently, for Gen Z, it’s like being asked to maneuver a horse and buggy.
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All images provided by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

Collins after being selected by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

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A changemaker is anyone who takes creative action to solve an ongoing problem—be it in one’s own community or throughout the world.

And when it comes to creating positive change, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective can hold just as much power as years of experience. That’s why, every year, Prudential Emerging Visionaries celebrates young people for their innovative solutions to financial and societal challenges in their communities.

This national program awards 25 young leaders (ages 14-18) up to $15,000 to devote to their passion projects. Additionally, winners receive a trip to Prudential’s headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, where they receive coaching, skills development, and networking opportunities with mentors to help take their innovative solutions to the next level.

For 18-year-old Sydnie Collins, one of the 2023 winners, this meant being able to take her podcast, “Perfect Timing,” to the next level.

Since 2020, the Maryland-based teen has provided a safe platform that promotes youth positivity by giving young people the space to celebrate their achievements and combat mental health stigmas. The idea came during the height of Covid-19, when Collins recalled social media “becoming a dark space flooded with news,” which greatly affected her own anxiety and depression.

Knowing that she couldn’t be the only one feeling this way, “Perfect Timing” seemed like a valuable way to give back to her community. Over the course of 109 episodes, Collins has interviewed a wide range of guests—from other young influencers to celebrities, from innovators to nonprofit leaders—all to remind Gen Z that “their dreams are tangible.”

That mission statement has since evolved beyond creating inspiring content and has expanded to hosting events and speaking publicly at summits and workshops. One of Collins’ favorite moments so far has been raising $7,000 to take 200 underserved girls to see “The Little Mermaid” on its opening weekend, to “let them know they are enough” and that there’s an “older sister” in their corner.

Of course, as with most new projects, funding for “Perfect Timing” has come entirely out of Collins’ pocket. Thankfully, the funding she earned from being selected as a Prudential Emerging Visionary is going toward upgraded recording equipment, the support of expert producers, and skill-building classes to help her become a better host and public speaker. She’ll even be able to lease an office space that allows for a live audience.

Plus, after meeting with the 24 other Prudential Emerging Visionaries and her Prudential employee coach, who is helping her develop specific action steps to connect with her target audience, Collins has more confidence in a “grander path” for her work.

“I learned that my network could extend to multiple spaces beyond my realm of podcasting and journalism when industry leaders are willing to share their expertise, time, and financial support,” she told Upworthy. “It only takes one person to change, and two people to expand that change.”

Prudential Emerging Visionaries is currently seeking applicants for 2024. Winners may receive up to $15,000 in awards and an all-expenses-paid trip to Prudential’s headquarters with a parent or guardian, as well as ongoing coaching and skills development to grow their projects.

If you or someone you know between the ages of 14 -18 not only displays a bold vision for the future but is taking action to bring that vision to life, click here to learn more. Applications are due by Nov. 2, 2023.
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The United Nations created 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 to help us focus our efforts on vital areas of concern, including poverty, gender equality, education, food security, health, climate and more. And every year since then, changemakers have arisen to meet those goals in various ways. Some of these changemakers are already leaders on the world stage, from heads of state to global celebrities. But others are grassroots activists doing incredible work on the ground to move us toward meeting our SDG targets by the 2030 deadline.

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Up until recently, Caleb had been in the "never had a pet" camp, then one day he found a tiny little kitten. He knew when he saw how little and helpless she was that he just had to rescue the sweet baby.

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