Marin County’s The Republic of Tea gets into the spirit of helping others in a big way

Community Philanthropy Awards: The Republic of Tea

Todd B. Rubin

President

900 Larkspur Landing Circle, #275, Larkspur 94939

415-382-3400

www.republicoftea.com

Read about North Bay Business Journal’s other Community Philanthropy Awards winners.

The Republic of Tea is mindful of how its actions impact the greater community and actively supports organizations like Homeward Bound of Marin since 2015. Their generous sponsorship helps cover monthly fundraising dinner’s costs in addition, The Republic of Tea has contributed with regular volunteer commitments, connections to other community groups, and support for their social enterprises.

Nationally, The Republic of Tea is partner with the Whole Planet Foundation which works to disperse microloans to emerging businesses in over 69 countries to help alleviate poverty.

The Republic of Tea has international partnerships to be a force for positive change in the world as well. Founded in 2017, The Women of Tea: Sri Lanka, is an initiative by The Republic of Tea focused on improving nutrition, hygiene and financial literacy for the women tea workers living in Sri Lanka. This program has impacted over 27,000 women and their families where tea is sourced.

The Republic of Tea strives to give back to our local, national, and international communities as well as its employees, the Ministers of The Republic of Tea. Every minister is given two paid days off to “Make a Difference” and volunteer at organizations important to them. The Republic of Tea has been prioritizing philanthropic efforts since the company began in 1992.

Because philanthropy is a core value of The Republic of Tea, the Ministers appreciate that and incorporate the value into their own lives. Their paid volunteer days are called Make a Difference Days. Often they plan Make a Difference Days together as team building. These special experiences create personal memories when doing good for others.

What three events or activities would you like to highlight?

The Republic of Tea is committed to our North Bay community through our dedication to Homeward Bound in Novato since 2015. Homeward Bound works to end homelessness with housing, training, and hope. Our employees that we call ministers, have regularly volunteered at Homeward Bound ranging from work in the garden, to wrapping holiday gifts, to supporting the monthly fundraising Fresh Starts Chef Events. Ministers of The Republic of Tea also have paid days off to volunteer in our local community and participate in a varied of activities that make the North Bay better.

What ways does your organization help support the idea of helping others, i.e. days for volunteering, ways to contribute money to causes?

In addition to paid days off to volunteer and the support of Homeward Bound in the North Bay, The Republic of Tea has international partnerships to be a force for positive change in the word. Founded in 2017, The Republic of Tea created the Women of Tea: Sri Lanka program that has impacted over 27,000 women and their families where tea is sourced.

Nationally, The Republic of Tea is partner with the Whole Planet Foundation which works to disperse microloans to emerging businesses in over 69 countries to help alleviate poverty.

How is the idea of helping others or working to solve community issues incorporated your personal life or in the company’s culture?

Since The Republic of Tea began in 1992, being mindful of the actions and the impact business activities have on our communities has been a core value and part of our charter. We practice a philosophy called Tashun, when people naturally care about the world and depend on each other for the well-being of the whole.

What inspires you, your employees or both about the North Bay spirit of helping others?

In the North Bay we do such a great job protecting farmland for eternity. I think we have a longer term point of view and we think about more than just ourselves. That includes helping others.

How does your company's philanthropy work spill over into your personal life?

Because philanthropy is a core value of The Republic of Tea, the Ministers appreciate that and incorporate the value into their own lives. Our paid volunteer days are called Make a Difference Days. Often we plan Make a Difference Days together as team building.

These special experiences create personal memories when doing good for others.

Describe why you do what you do in the community.

We naturally care about the world.

Why are you inspired by helping others?

Employee: I have been part of The Republic of Tea TEAm for almost two years now, and every month, I get the opportunity to discuss with my fellow ministers the particular philanthropic and sustainability endeavors we want to pursue as a company. From company donations to ministers making a difference themselves, the volunteer and philanthropic opportunities here are endless.

Recently, I had the honor of joining my coworkers at a chef’s event hosted by Homeward Bound in Marin. Before the festivities began, a speaker called out The Republic of Tea for our generosity and participation in Homeward Bound events. They then mentioned that it costs $50 a night to house a homeless person off the streets. Each ticket was almost $100. Just one seat filled provided shelter for 2 nights at Homeward Bound.

Hearing the stories and meeting the people is overwhelmingly touching. It makes me proud to work for such a giving company that does what it can to make the world a better place one cup of tea at a time.

How this group has helped our cause or me?

Maura Thurman, development associate, Homeward Bound of Marin: Since 2015, The Republic of Tea has been the premier sponsor for Fresh Starts Chef Events at Homeward Bound of Marin. Their generous sponsorship of these monthly fundraising dinners covers all food costs and helps Homeward Bound raise more dollars to support culinary job training for people who are low-income and homeless in the North Bay. They also provide tea to serve at events, and an amazing array of teas, teapots, and tea accessories for fundraising raffle baskets. With their strong support, these events have grown in scope to sell out frequently and benefit Homeward Bound’s programs at a higher level.

In addition, The Republic of Tea has partnered with Homeward Bound through regular volunteer commitments, connections to other community groups, and support for our social enterprises. For several years in a row, volunteers from The Republic of Tea have wrapped hundreds of donated gifts for people spending the holidays in Homeward Bound’s shelter and housing programs. Holidays can be an extremely difficult time for people without housing and living in pressing poverty. Often, these are the only gifts Homeward Bound clients will receive during the holidays and the wrapping team provides extra cheer with their efforts.

The Republic of Tea has volunteered regularly in Homeward Bound’s half-acre garden, helping cultivate vegetables that are used to prepare nourishing shelter meals. Since the garden relies on volunteer groups led by Homeward Bound’s solo garden supervisor, their efforts have been much appreciated for chores like weeding, preparing the soil, seasonal cleanup, planting and harvesting.

Community Philanthropy Awards: The Republic of Tea

Todd B. Rubin

President

900 Larkspur Landing Circle, #275, Larkspur 94939

415-382-3400

www.republicoftea.com

Read about North Bay Business Journal’s other Community Philanthropy Awards winners.

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