Buy 1, give 1: Help the needy with sales from these retailers

Want to support a worthy cause in a cool way?

Check out these "buy one, give one" companies. Every purchase you make means a similar item will be given to someone in need -- providing baby clothing, blankets, glasses, shoes or food to others in the United States and overseas.

Here's how they work and how you can help while you shop.

(www.toms.com)

What it sells: Comfy and casual shoes for men, women and kids, although women can also find dressier ballet flats and wedges. It also sells sunglasses.

How it works: With its "One for One" program, Toms pioneered the buy-one-give-one idea and inspired others to do the same. Buy a pair of shoes, and Toms will donate a pair to a child in need. For every pair of glasses purchased, a person will receive the eye care he or she needs.

(www.warbyparker.com)

How it works: For every pair of glasses purchased, Warby Parker gives glasses or funding to its nonprofit partners to help people get their vision back -- more than 85,000 pairs of glasses distributed to date.

(www.thecompanystore.com)

What it sells: High-quality bedding, including a big and cute children's selection.

How it works: For each comforter ($24-$729) you buy, the Company Store will donate one to a homeless U.S. child.

(www.oneworldfutbol.com)

How it works: You buy a ball ($39.50), and Jahnigen sends another to a community in need via organizations working in refugee camps, war zones, inner cities and poverty-stricken communities.

(www.wearfigs.com)

What it sells: Elegant bow ties, neckties and cashmere scarves for men.

How it works: Via the Threads for Threads program, for every tie ($55-$95) or scarf ($145-$225) sold, FIGS gives a school uniform to a child in need of an education. FIGS says that throughout the developing world, not only are uniforms often required, but wearing one is a source of pride for a child.

(www.outofprintclothing.com)

How it works: For each product sold, one book is donated to a community in need through Out of Print's partner, Books for Africa.

(www.twodegreesfood.com)

What it sells: All-natural, gluten-free, vegan, low-sodium and GMO-free bars in flavors such as chocolate banana, apple pecan and cherry almond.

How it works: For every bar you buy, Two Degrees donates a meal to a hungry child. For 99 cents, you can purchase a virtual bar for a Facebook friend, and Two Degrees will match that with an actual meal for a child in developing countries, including Haiti and Somalia.

(www.baby-teresa.com)

How it works: For each outfit it sells, Baby Teresa will donate an outfit to a child in need. For each accessory you buy, the company will give part of the sales to purchase formula for babies in need.

(www.smilesquared.com)

What it sells: Child- and adult-size bamboo-handled toothbrushes that are biodegradable and recyclable.

How it works: Buy a Smile Squared toothbrush ($5.95), and one will be given to a child without access to proper dental care, or sometimes even the sinks, clean running water or toothbrushes necessary to practice good daily hygiene.

(www.onemillionlights.org)

How it works: It distributes environmentally friendly, rechargeable lights around the world, replacing dangerous and polluting kerosene lamps. Through its online shop, you can buy a light for yourself and have another one donated ($30 total).

(www.skechers.com)

What it sells: Espadrilles for men, women and girls.