Sponsor Spotlight: GoMacro Gives Back

Published On: February 9th, 2022By Categories: Campaigns, Partnerships4.7 min read

This month, we’re so grateful to have GoMacro as Spread Love San Diego’s presenting sponsor. GoMacro is a mother-daughter owned and operated company that puts its heart and soul into promoting a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. What started in a farmhouse kitchen as a mother and daughter team has grown into a top-selling, plant-based nutrition bar company. We spoke to CEO/Co-Founder Jola Sonkin to learn more about why GoMacro gives back and what motivates the company to keep supporting Feeding San Diego year after year.

GoMacro CEO/CoFounder Jola Sonkin

GoMacro CEO/Co-Founder, Jola Sonkin

Q: GoMacro is headquartered in Wisconsin but has close San Diego ties. Tell us why you are committed to giving back to the San Diego community.

JS: Giving Back isn’t just an idea at GoMacro. It’s one of our five principles that guide the decisions we make, the products we sell, and the way we operate as a mother-daughter-owned business.

During her battle with cancer in 2003, my mother Amelia created the MacroBar recipe in her kitchen on the Wisconsin family farm. In the years following, we began spreading the power of a balanced, plant-based lifestyle through healthy and delicious MacroBars. To help support the growth of GoMacro, I relocated to Southern California and continue to build the business from here in the San Diego area.

GoMacro is not just the leader of plant-based nutrition bars, we’re on a mission to make the world better, one bite at a time. No child or family should carry the burden of not knowing where their next meal is coming from.

We believe in building a stronger, healthier community through giving back. We are proud to not only make a yearly donation based on annual net proceeds from our Everlasting Joy Give Back Bar, but also donate our time and resources to support Feeding San Diego and its mission to end hunger.

No matter how big or small the endeavor, every act of charity can help move mountains. Not only does this benefit the community, but it gives our employees a chance to experience the joy of giving back.

Two GoMacro volunteers at the Feeding San Diego distribution center

GoMacro team members volunteer at Feeding San Diego’s distribution center during the Spread Love San Diego campaign

Q: Why did you choose to sponsor the Spread Love San Diego campaign?

JS: We believe that practicing generosity creates a chain reaction of world-changing goodness. Sponsoring the Spread Love San Diego campaign gives us the opportunity to create awareness and encourage others to give back during February, the month of love, and year-round. It’s our hope that we inspire others to pay it forward whether that be through volunteering in their community or simply by spreading love and kindness to themselves and those around them.

Q: What does spreading love and kindness look like within GoMacro?

JS: GoMacro started small with a large purpose. As we have grown over the last 18 years, we’ve kept that mentality. The little steps, the small tweaks, and the attention to details continue to amount to huge progression.

At GoMacro, we feel that spreading love and kindness starts from within. We believe that mental, physical, and spiritual well-being is achieved through balance. To be your best, take good care of your body and mind.

It’s important to go out and experience life. Volunteer, visit with family and friends, explore new places, spend time in nature, move your body, keep learning, and practice gratitude for all the positive things in your life and our world. Being kind to yourself will spread love and kindness in remarkable ways.

GoMacro volunteer bags cucumbers at Feeding San Diego distribution center

GoMacro team member volunteering at Feeding San Diego’s distribution center during the Spread Love San Diego campaign

Q: Tell us more about how GoMacro works with nonprofit partners and the company’s overall philanthropic efforts in addition to working with Feeding San Diego.

JS: We believe that giving back creates a chain reaction of world-changing goodness. Four of our MacroBars are Give Back Bars with a portion of the proceeds going to local, national, and global organizations.

  • Year-round, a percentage of annual net proceeds from our Everlasting Joy MacroBar goes to Feeding San Diego as well as to Solutions for Change, an organization that works to end family homelessness.
  • During the month of May, a percentage of net proceeds from our Protein Replenishment MacroBar goes to Farm Sanctuary, an organization that brings awareness about the abuses factory farm animals suffer and works to combat these through rescue, education, and advocacy efforts.
  • During the month of August, a percentage of the net proceeds from our Smooth Sanctuary MacroBar goes to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the first and most successful elephant orphan rescue and rehabilitation program in the world.
  • During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, a percentage of net proceeds from the Sunny Uplift MacroBar goes to the Keep A Breast Foundation, which promotes breast health awareness and education among young people by approaching the topic in a manner young people understand and can connect with.

Q: What does ending hunger mean to you?

JS: GoMacro is not just the leader of plant-based nutrition bars, we’re on a mission to make the world better, one bite at a time. No child or family should carry the burden of not knowing where their next meal is coming from. By educating people on how to use their resources and live a more sustainable lifestyle and volunteering in our community, we hope to help end the cycle of hunger for generations to come.