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What if your holiday shopping could create jobs and change lives?
Each item in our Gifts That Give Back series comes from an employment social enterprise. These are mission-driven businesses that help individuals overcoming barriers to employment, like homelessness or incarceration, to re-enter the workforce and build economic power.
When you purchase from these businesses you help fuel an economy that works, for everyone. Thank you for choosing gifts that give back and investing in resilience and possibility this season!
Need the perfect gift for the foodie in your life? Check out our selection of sweet and savory gifts that give back.
From gourmet seasonings and tasting flight selections to artisanal snacks and handcrafted sweets, every item is made by someone striving to overcome challenges like homelessness or incarceration.
Our Favorite 2025 Sweet & Savory Gifts
Strawberry Shortbread (Greenisland Bakery)
$38
Delightful buttery Irish shortbread sandwiches with a sweet strawberry filling and dusting of powdered sugar – a tasty treat for any time of day!
GreenIsland Bakery, based in Washington D.C., supports individuals recovering from traumatic experiences with workforce training that combines positive psychology coaching and baking training as a therapeutic intervention.
Brownie Tin (Greyston Bakery)
$69.95
A sweet gift for any brownie lover featuring 18 brownies including flavors like chocolate fudge, espresso, and cherry chocolate. Looking for vegan options? Greyston has you covered there, too!
At Greyston Bakery in Yonkers, New York, every delicious brownie also creates job opportunities through their inclusive Open Hiring policy, providing bakers with training and ongoing support.
Lemon Blueberry Ring Cake (Homeboy Industries)
$34.95
This lemon blueberry cake offers a decadent mix of citrus and sweetness, perfect for starting or ending the day. Bigger and better than a muffin, it’s baked with care and a whole lot of love!
Homeboy Industries operates a Job Training Program that combines on-the-job learning with comprehensive services and unconditional support. Each year, Homeboy welcomes thousands of former gang members and previously incarcerated men and women to learn hard and soft skills to transform their lives.
Kentucky Bourbon Caramel Popcorn (Mickey's Popcorn)
$7
A delicious popcorn made with top-shelf Kentucky bourbon, featuring rich notes of caramel, vanilla, and warm spices like cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, all cooked in dark brown sugar — a treat that will not disappoint!
Based in Memphis Tennessee, Mickey’s Popcorn crafts small-batch, gourmet popcorn inspired by regional flavors and top-shelf spirits, while providing transitional employment to domestic violence survivors, autistic youth, and opportunity youth.
Holiday Nut Butter Tasting Flight (Ground Up)
$30
The Holiday Tasting Flight is the perfect gift for any nut butter lover, featuring three 4-oz jars of Ground Up’s most loved flavors: Snickerdoodle, and limited-edition holiday flavors Salted Eggnog and Cocoa Hazelnut Crunch.
Portland-based Ground Up provides job training to womxn overcoming adversity while selling healthy, delicious nut butters that equip them with skills and confidence.
Holiday Gift Box (Emma's Torch)
From $37
Available in two sizes, this gift box brings together comforting artisanal treats. The small box includes hot cocoa, cherry almond granola, and a garden mint candle, while the large box adds spiced nuts, pretzel bits, brownie mix, hibiscus mint tea, and anise & orange biscotti for even more cozy indulgence.
Emma’s Torch in Brooklyn, New York equips refugees through culinary education and real-world job training.
Granola Variety Pack (Beautiful Day)
$51
This pack has a mix of sweet and decadent flavors to satisfy every craving, featuring flavors like mochaccino hazelnut, bourbon pecan, pistachio cardamom, and salted mango.
Beautiful Day in Providence, Rhode Island, helps refugees adjust to life in America by offering paid, on-the-job training in making, packaging, and selling award-winning granola.
Ultimate Snack Gift Box (Women's Bean Project)
$85
Enjoy a mix of salty, savory, spicy, and sweet treats, including chili picante plantain chips, chocolate-covered espresso beans, ginger zing trail mix, gourmet jelly beans, sour and gummy candies, instant rice meals, and rainbow popcorn with salted caramel.
Denver-based Women’s Bean Project hires women experiencing chronic unemployment and works with them to discover their talents and potential.
Chocolate Expedition Truffle Brownies (Bridge House)
$29.99
Experience chocolate decadence with ten truffle brownies, each featuring rich chocolate paired with hand-crafted finishes like candied orange peel, chocolate-covered espresso beans, cookie dough, and candied walnuts.
Bridge House is a Boulder-based nonprofit that helps adults experiencing homelessness leave the streets behind by employing, housing and supporting them as they get a foothold to transform their lives.Â
Explore a full range of social impact products for everyone on your 2025 list on our Social Enterprise Shop Guide.
Check out other 2025 favorites!
