When websites or companies say “ for every ____ we will plant a tree” or “donate a grain of rice” (like freerice.com) why can’t they just donate those things without users doing whatever simple thing on their website?

Question

When websites or companies say “ for every ____ we will plant a tree” or “donate a grain of rice” (like freerice.com) why can’t they just donate those things without users doing whatever simple thing on their website?

In: Economics

Answer 1

It makes customers feel good about themselves, as though they themselves donated something.
Essentially the corporations or whomever are cashing in on that feel good emotion and the desire to give.