George and Georgette: Cool kids shoes with an even cooler mission.

There are a lot of things I want to do as a mom, but a big one is to raise the kinds of kids (and eventually, adults) who think about others’ needs before their own. It’s something we talk about a lot in our house — especially around the holidays — whether it’s finding the time to volunteer, donating items to those in need, or even buying for ourselves from companies that are finding ways to give back in a big way.

So when I find companies that are doing really cool things that can broaden my kids’ sense of compassion, I’m all in. And these adorable George & Georgette kids shoes — started by twin sisters who grew up sharing and trading their shoes — have a much deeper sense of purpose beyond fun, mismatched sneakers.

Through their Walk in My Shoes program, George & Georgette encourage their customers to keep their empty shoeboxes, which have a unique pop-up handle design, and fill them with essentials that homeless people could use — food, bus passes, a warm scarf, or even a hand-drawn picture to warm their hearts — and to take the shoe box with you next time you’re out and pass it on to someone who could really use it. This small act of kindness can go a long way in helping the homeless and helping your kids develop a sense of empathy for others, especially those in need.

Of course, you don’t have to use their shoe box to fulfill this act of kindness. Any shoe box you have at home, or even an old backpack or a reusable shopping bag, would work too.

But we love George & Georgette’s commitment to helping the homeless and fully support their mission. And with Thanksgiving around the bend, I think it’s the perfect time to think about all the ways to give back.

You can find the funky George & Georgette shoes at their website — and they offer free shipping on every purchase. You can also find them at our affiliate Amazon, but not in retail stores just yet.