Gap and Bombas Partner to Raise Awareness for Homeless Need

The exclusive partnership sets goal to donate 1 million socks to homeless shelters

TORONTO, Nov. 16, 2015 /CNW/ -This holiday season, Gap is joining forces with Bombas, the athletic-leisure sock company with a philanthropic mission, to bring awareness to the most requested clothing item in homeless shelters: socks. The exclusive Gap x Bombas collection will be available in select Gap stores around the world and on Gap.ca. For every pair sold in participating countries, Gap will give a pair of specially-designed Bombas donation socks to someone in need.

The partnership is part of Gap's ongoing commitment to support local communities and to give back this holiday season. Since its founding in 2013, Bombas has been committed to donating a pair of socks for every pair sold and, to date, has donated more than 500,000 pairs of socks. Inspired by that accomplishment, Gap has committed to bringing awareness of the Bombas mission to a global audience, and together the two brands share a goal to donate one million pairs of socks to homeless shelters in participating Gap markets.

"Gap has always been committed to incorporating a positive social impact into our everyday business," said Steven Sare, senior vice president of Merchandising for Gap. "We saw a natural partner in Bombas because their giveback component resonates so strongly with our values and those of our customers who are excited about giving back. We were also impressed by the innovative design of the socks that Bombas donates, as they're specifically crafted to meet the particular needs of the people receiving them."

"Bombas was founded because we wanted to help solve a problem that many people didn't know existed," said Randy Goldberg, co-founder and chief brand officer of Bombas.  "With the support of Gap, we are able to bring an international spotlight to the issue that drives us year-round," added David Heath, co-founder and chief executive officer of Bombas.

The Bombas donation socks are purpose-built to help meet the needs of those who have inspired the Bombas mission. Each pair has reinforced seams for greater durability, an anti-microbial treatment to deter the growth of odour and fungus and darker colors to minimize visible wear.  These attributes make a big difference in the lives of those who don't have the luxury of having a clean pair of socks every day.

In store and online (in the U.S. and Canada), Gap will carry the exclusive line of Gap x Bombas calf socks for adults and children. Within each category, there are four different colour combinations exclusive to the partnership. The Gap x Bombas socks will be available at select Gap stores in the U.S., Canada and Japan. Working with charitable partners, Good360 and the National Coalition for the Homeless, all Gap x Bombas and Gap brand socks purchased in these countries as well as Gap brand socks purchased in the EU will contribute to the goal of one million donated.  

To extend that campaign further, Gap is raising awareness for the issue through social media with the use of the hashtag #socksforall.

Further details on the campaign can be found at Gap.ca.

About Gap
Gap is one of the world's most iconic apparel and accessories brands and the authority on American casual style.  Founded in San Francisco in 1969, Gap's collections are designed to build the foundation of modern wardrobes – all things denim, classic white shirts, khakis and must-have trends.  Beginning with the first international store in London in 1987, Gap continues to connect with customers online and across the brand's about 1,700 company-operated and franchise retail locations around the world. Gap includes Women's and Men's apparel and accessories, GapKids, babyGap, GapMaternity, GapBody and GapFit collections.  The brand also serves value-conscious customers with exclusively-designed collections for Gap Outlet and Gap Factory Stores.  Gap is the namesake brand for leading global specialty retailer, Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) which includes Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta and Intermix. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.

About Bombas
Founded in 2013, Bombas is a collection of highly functional and fashionable athletic-leisure socks with a philanthropic mission. After discovering socks are the #1 most requested clothing item in homeless shelters, founders Randy Goldberg and David Heath established the brand's mission to donate a pair of socks for every pair sold. Each sock is constructed using Bombas Sock Tech, comprised of seven substantial ways to improve the comfort, performance and design of the athletic sock.  The collection is currently available on www.Bombas.com in a variety of bold colors and neutral solid for men, women and kids.

SOURCE Gap Canada

Image with caption: "The exclusive Gap x Bombas holiday sock collection brings awareness to the most requested clothing item in homeless shelters: socks. The collection will be available in select Gap stores around the world, and online. For every pair sold, Gap will donate a pair of Bombas to someone in need. (CNW Group/Gap Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151116_C5632_PHOTO_EN_544792.jpg

Media Contacts: Heather Hopkins, Gap Inc. Canada, 416 355 2329, [email protected]; Emily Hofstetter, Bombas, 845 641 5099, [email protected]; Alicia Storey, Edelman, [phone], [email protected]