VIVA – the Toronto-based Scandinavian teaware maker – donated 17,000 drinkware products to help Canada’s homeless and less privileged with a gift to the Ontario chapter of the Salvation Army. VIVA did this to mark International Day of Charity, which was held on Sept. 5, and to assist Canada's most vulnerable.
VIVA Founder Peng Lin said giving back to the community is a pillar in the company's values. “The community who buys our products has helped drive our success, and we feel it’s important to support that community in return however we can. It's a virtuous circle. It's important for businesses such as ours to recognize that,” she said.
Dan Millar, divisional director of community partnerships and divisional emergency disaster services director for the Ontario chapter of the Salvation Army, said, “These items will be used in our ministry units – shelters, churches, hostels and our offices – to help us provide services to our clients while helping us to reduce waste, minimize costs and achieve one of our key sustainability goals of moving away from disposable products, especially single-use plastics. Salvation Army is very appreciative of the donation.”
In total, up to 50 ministries supporting 120 locations distributed across Ontario from Thunder Bay to Niagara Falls will benefit from the donation of Emma and Laura Anytime Cups valued at $280,000. The Salvation Army's mission includes – among other goals – supporting people who are homeless and those facing food insecurity.
A History of Giving Back
This isn’t the first time VIVA has given back. During the company's first Kickstarter campaign in spring 2020, just as lockdowns were happening around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lin came up with the idea of donating from the Kickstarter campaign to the ongoing efforts to fight the pandemic. Ten percent of profits from each pledge of a Recharge Pro travel mug Gratitude Pack was donated to the WHO COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
Overall, VIVA strives to modernize tea traditions and take them to new heights through their full range of minimalist and innovative teaware. VIVA's mission is to inspire the world to relax and feel better with the perfect tea experience.
To learn more about VIVA, visit ShopVIVA.com.