Innovative new stationery supplies brand, Yoobi, recently launched in Australia, 18 months after its debut in the US.
The socially responsible start-up has partnered with The Smith Family and Officeworks to provide school supplies to disadvantaged Australian children following its success in the US, where it has donated enough free school supplies for more than one million children.
“With Yoobi, our goal is to make phenomenal stationery supplies for ‘kids’ aged four to 104, while solving an important problem―providing fundamental access to school supplies for those in need,” says Australian co-founder, Ido Leffler, who established Yoobi with his business partner, Lance Kalish, after their kids started primary school and they realised that stationery designs hadn’t changed much since they were kids.
“After visiting dozens of public schools for research, we discovered teachers were buying basic necessities out of their own pockets and many kids didn’t have access to fundamental school supplies. We knew we had to find a way to make a difference.”
For every product purchased a Yoobi school item will be donated to a child in need through The Smith Family. The collection includes binders, notebooks, journals, pens, coloured pencils and highlighters in a mix of six eye-popping colours.
“The families we support are living in financial hardship, with many struggling to afford even the basics for their children to attend school,” The Smith Family’s head of fundraising, Rosie Simpson, says.
“We’re thrilled that Australians will now have the opportunity, through Yoobi and Officeworks, to provide disadvantaged children with access to some fun, colourful but necessary items they need for school.”
Yoobi is now available in stores around Australia. “We’re delighted to welcome Yoobi into our stable of brands at Officeworks,” adds business manager for office supplies, Jim Berndelis. “Simply by purchasing a Yoobi product, customers can make a positive difference to those who need it the most.”
By Marion Gerritsen
