21 Jan 2013 Funky Frugal: Making a difference, one bag at a time
by Tanner Cangelosi
We have dear friends who had a wonderful idea to help a lot of people.
The McClurkins are always looking for ways to serve others. From their home to their things, they give to others.
Their idea is similar to the shoes, TOMS. They created these bags with my artwork to be purchased, and some of the proceeds go to the Arkansas Dream Center through New Life Church. I had a chance to sit down with this amazing family about their mission.
What is GiveBagz?
GiveBagz is a company that provides eco-friendly, reusable shopping bags with a flare of fun! These sturdy bags are made of non-woven polypropylene and hold 35-plus pounds. The plastic insert in the bottom helps the bag stand up straight without tipping over, making it very easy to load with groceries or other items.
How did it come about?
One day last spring, Tammie was grocery shopping using some other reusable bags. Before she left the store, three people stopped her to comment about how they should start using reusable bags. On the way home, she thought about how there might be a market for a different option of reusable bags, ones that were sturdy and easy to carry, yet with fun, whimsical art. She immediately thought of her friend, Tanner Cangelosi.
After a few months of praying and researching, Tammie and her husband, Trey, decided to move forward to begin to launch GiveBagz. Knowing that plastic shopping bags are creating havoc on our environment, it seemed like a great product to offer to others wanting to do their part to make a difference in our environment.
Tammie and Trey are also passionate about supporting local ministries, so they decided to partner with one they love, Soaring Wings Ranch, to donate 10 percent of the proceeds to them. They began working with Tanner on two designs, and about six months later, they had bags ready to sell.
The company officially launched at Holiday House in Little Rock and Dazzle Daze in Conway and did well. People seemed to love the fun art and the functionality of the bag. Because it can be used as a reusable grocery shopping bag, a gift sack or a tote, there are many purposes for these adorable bags.
What is GiveBagz vision?
Their vision is to make a difference in our community by increasing awareness about the importance to take steps to preserve our environment. Even using one reusable bag at the grocery store once a week can greatly diminish the plastic bags that end up in our landfills that take several lifetimes to decompose. It is a small step that everyone can take!
They also want to give back to the community by helping to support local ministries that are doing great things. Soaring Wings is one they love because it does so much for kids that are abused, neglected or abandoned. Soaring Wings runs a top-notch facility that is Christ-centered and life-changing for so many kids.
Tammie and Trey thought it would be so much fun to start a business that could operate debt-free and give generously.
GiveBagz are currently being sold at givebagz.com.
