New-to-Canada brand aims to address homelessness, one sock at a time

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Each year, an estimated 235,000 Canadians experience a type of homelessness, according to Statistics Canada.

The new-to-Canada company Bombas is looking to offer some comfort to houseless individuals by partnering with Covenant House in Toronto and the Old Brewery Mission in Montreal. For every item sold, the company donates a piece to its charity partners.

We caught up with co-founder Randy Goldberg to learn more:

Q: For those who aren’t familiar, what is Bombas? 

A: Bombas is a comfort-focused apparel brand built on a mission to help those experiencing homelessness. We started with socks, because they’re one of the most requested items by organizations addressing homelessness, and built a business around giving them away. For every item purchased in Canada, we donate a specially designed item in Canada through one of our Giving Partners.

Since our founding, we’ve expanded our product line to include underwear, T-shirts and slippers, all while staying true to that One Purchased = One Donated model.

Q: What makes it unique? 

A: I think our customers will tell you that we changed the way they feel about socks. And slippers, tees and underwear, as well. We make the first things you put on in the morning, the last things you take off at night. Things that are overlooked by most clothing manufacturers. But these items have the biggest impact on your everyday comfort, so by focusing on the little things, we feel like we make a big impact in the lives of our customers.

That same thoughtfulness extends to the items we donate. The socks we give aren’t just excess inventory. They’re actually specifically created to meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness. The socks are made with an antimicrobial treatment to extend wearability between washes and often come in darker colours to show less visible wear.

Q: Who is the target customer? 

A: Honestly, everyone. No matter what stage of life you’re at, whether you’re looking for something more casual or need a simple way to spruce up an outfit, we have you covered.

We’ve always believed that comfort is universal. Bombas is for busy parents, marathon runners, college students and retirees. It’s for people who care about quality and design, and for those who want to support brands that do more for the communities around them.

Q: What makes Canada a good fit for the brand?

A: Canada feels like a natural home for Bombas. Canadian consumers are increasingly mission and values-focused, and there’s a shared spirit here of kindness, community and looking out for one another that aligns beautifully with our mission.

Canadians also have an incredible eye for quality and functionality in their everyday wear, especially when it comes to outdoor adventure, and to layering and weatherproofing essentials. We’re excited to introduce people here to products that aren’t just incredibly comfortable, but that also serve a greater purpose.

Q: What is the price range? 

A: Our pricing depends on the item and whether you’re purchasing singles or packs. A single pair of socks typically starts around $22, while bundles — perfect for building your sock drawer — can go up to $365 for our largest eight-pack collections.

Q: And where can people learn more? 

A: Our Canadian site, bombas.ca, is the best place to start. You can browse our full range of socks, underwear, T-shirts, slippers and slides, and more available here, and also dive into the impact side of what we do.

Aharris@postmedia.com