IMAGES PICTURED FROM THE TWOQUE WEBSITE

ONE PLUS ONE EQUALS TWOQUE

It's all about spreading warmth, and the cycle of giving and receiving. Twoque, a Toronto-based socially conscious fashion brand is championing a movement across Canada to spread warmth to those in need...literally. For every Twoque sold, an article is donated to someone in need. With low-temperature winters, and high rates of homelessness in Alberta, the Twoque team saw a particular need to spread warmth both physically and emotionally across Alberta.

Ethan Dassas and Eric Saltsman, the co-founders of the Toronto-based brand have dated back as best friends since their younger years in summer camp. With their many shared experiences over the years, it only made sense that this friendship would also transform into a partnership. The opportunity for the brand made itself known when Eric received feedback on a Social Science course project from his students back in 2018. A high school English and Social teacher by day, Eric challenged his students to create their own organizations and write a business plan to accompany it.

The challenge with project requirements, however, was that the business needed to be either a non-profit, a sustainability-focused brand, or a social enterprise. After hearing the struggle from his own students, it was then that Eric considered setting an example for his students, in hand with his companion Ethan.

"Living in downtown Toronto, one cannot help but notice the significant number of individuals living on the street. While noodling ideas, this became progressively more prominent as an issue that needs a solution." – Eric Saltsman

With Ethan's unique background in film and television, the company was able to get branding and operations up, along with the conceptualization of their uniquely Canadian name. Twoque has since become Eric and Ethan's way of spreading warmth across the country, where an individual who purchases benefits, while someone else in need can as well. The two realized the need in their own city and have been expanding to reach other highly affected areas like Alberta and BC.

The team has had opportunities to run clothing drives and donate basic items anywhere from clothing, sleeping bags and hygiene products, to masks and PPE. Their entire mission is centred around giving and raising awareness, which is why on their Instagram feed you'll find a reserved column once a week for education on statistics around poverty and homelessness. Likewise, they're always looking for ways to engage extra resources and organized to donate 200 backpacks to the Toronto Catholic School board alongside their current shipping company who had extra backpacks to spare.

The Twoque team has been dedicated to setting the example and sharing how they've been living up to their own mission. Awareness is one of the keys to fuelling Twoque's One-for-One model, which is why educating is an important part of their process. To stand behind their values, each year the team partners with a like-minded organization for bulk donations. This past November, the team recently donated to their charitable partner Ve'ahavta a total of 1,000 brand new Twoques, alongside clothing and protective items to be distributed to individuals facing poverty in Toronto. As a result, Twoque is proudly ending their year having donated more than they made, while donating the same quality of hat they provide to their customers.

Twoque is always looking for new partnerships to spread positivity and impact local communities in the right way. You can help Twoque spread warmth by giving the gift of giving and use the discount code THEISSUE15 to get 15% off your next order.

The vision for the Twoque team is to eventually expand into an entire clothing line of cold weather-oriented items, starting firstly with most needed items like socks, jackets, and sweaters. Take this story of inspiration as a spark into action— remember to get involved in your own communities this season by giving donations, checking for old clothing and passing along what you can now, especially during this pandemic - let's keep the warmth going. You can stay in touch with Twoque on all their handles below!

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Website: https://twoque.ca/

Instagram: @twoque_canada

Facebook: twoque_canada

LinkedIn: Twoque Canada

Twitter: @twoque_canada