How Little Man Ice Cream is funding healthy meals in rural Uganda
From left to right, Jayme Ward (FAF), Basha Cohen (LMIC), Ritah Omia (FAF), Skye Ziegler (LMIC), Collines Angwech (FAF) and Mike (LMIC)
Embarking on a journey beyond traditional philanthropy, Little Man Ice Cream and Far Away Friends (FAF) found a unique synergy that goes beyond mere financial transactions. In today’s blog, we’re sharing an interview with Little Man’s Social Impact Manager, Skye Ziegler, about the reasons behind Little Man Ice Cream's choice to support FAF, the ongoing commitment to the partnership, and the positive impact on both communities, providing a blueprint for a new era in corporate social responsibility.
Far Away Friends & the LMIC Team in 2016
How was the relationship between Little Man Ice Cream and FAF developed?
The relationship between Little Man Ice Cream and FAF was developed because Jayme was aware of the giving component of our company and reached out asking for support. She took a very non-transactional form in requesting support. Jayme invited us to engage in the work they are trying to accomplish rather than simply write a check and get a donation receipt. FAF has provided insight into the lives of everyone at Global Leaders and the impact our employees are making by being a partner with the organization. Jayme, Collines, and Ritah took the time to personally meet with us, share the story of FAF, and illustrate exactly how their mission aligns with our mission to demonstrate how we mutually benefit from one another. Due to the personalized approach, we have formed a lasting partnership and gained new friends.
Why did Little Man Ice Cream decide to become involved with FAF, rather than other nonprofits, and why they are continuing to support the group?
Over 500 children benefit each year from the beans & posho provided by Little Man Ice Cream through the Scoop for Scoop program partnership
This was touched on a little bit above in how the relationship was formed, but FAF did an incredible job creating a two-way partnership. As a company, we were amazed at their ability to be a facilitator for the local community to create change and engage the supporting companies. We always knew the impact our money had on the community and were reaffirmed it wasn’t unused. We appreciated that our money was used to help the Ugandan community by placing the children in a position where they can be healthy and thriving. It is rewarding when organizations do not try to make temporary change rather empower and support a community to make their own change creating a forever impact. We are continuing the support because of FAF's ability, compared to other organizations, to genuinely foster the donor relationship by not just fulfilling their own ask, but allowing our company to ask them for support in return. They are supportive in terms of creating marketing material, staying up to date on the vision of our company, and being consistent in their communication.
Has your relationship with FAF helped you gain any support for your brand, or have you advertised your relationship with FAF anywhere?
Definitely! To provide some background information, the Little Man Ice Cream Scoop for Scoop program is fueled off our customers. Every scoop of ice cream purchased adds to our donation fund that we give back to organizations focused on education, hunger relief, and child welfare. We take a lot of pride in recognizing and thanking our customers for making it possible to support communities locally and globally. FAF has taken the time to understand our giving philosophy and provided us with appropriate materials and tools to communicate to our clientele what impact they are making on the Ugandan community by purchasing a scoop of ice cream at our shop. Our company does not like to advertise saying ‘look what we did’ rather 'look what YOU have done as a customer’ and FAF has always respected and supported this approach.
Collines and Ritah from Uganda got to make their own ice cream during our visit in 2016!
In our perspective, this ‘business’ of donating is all about the people and relationship curating. For us we do not want to write a check and not feel like we are a part of the change. FAF has allowed us to engage with Collines and Ritah who are on the ground working with the community. They have taught us many lessons either in person or online that have expanded our knowledge. For us we care less about the dollar amount we give but learning about the culture and the most influential avenues to support one another from afar.
Interested in becoming one of our Corporate Sponsors and getting your customers involved in making a difference? Reach out to Jayme@farawayfriends.org for more info!
