Shop Gifts That Give Hope At Lancaster’s Alternative Gift Fair

Give gifts that give hope this holiday season.

The 11th Annual Lancaster Gifts That Give Hope is on Saturday, December 8, 2018 from 10am to 4pm and features ways to give back, shop ethically, and invest in transformative causes.

“Giving gifts that go towards a cause is important,” said Jenn Knepper, organizer of the event. “Many of these things will resonate with people more than just material items.”

Jenn was inspired by attending a similar event in 2007 in Harrisburg.

“I saw this type of event in a newspaper and thought it was a great idea,” she said. “I knew I was not the only one who felt overwhelmed over the holiday shopping when I kept thinking ‘do I have to buy all of this stuff?’ Once I saw this, it felt good to give back and purchase items that support a cause instead.”

The first event held in Lancaster was in 2008 and has continued for a decade of excellence, providing shoppers with opportunity to support meaningful organizations and purposeful ethical businesses.

“We can all make these ethical socially-conscious choices to give back using purchasing power,” added Jenn. “It helps others to be intentional with gifting.”

The event is full of exciting opportunities to shop gifts, donate to organizations, eat food, and engage with the community.

“What I always hope people get out of the gift fair is an opportunity to learn more about others and how to be an advocate for people all around the world,” said Jenn. “I think everyone has a cause that is important to them—and at this fair, there really is something for everyone.”

Below are 4 reasons to visit the 2018 Gifts that Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair this year.

1) Opportunity to donate to nonprofit organizations

There are 30 organizations that serve a variety of local and international needs that attendees can donate to. There is A Week Away (provides a week of peace for families battling life-threatening illness), Clare House (serving women and children experiencing homelessness), HOPE International (investing in underserved communities around the world), Orphan Relief and Rescue (fighting for justice for orphaned children), Power Packs Project (providing food programs to families who are food insecure), LIFECYCLES (building young men of character with a Christ-centered bicycle touring adventure experience) and many other organizations.

From local initiatives to global movements, there will be an assortment of causes to explore and support. Find the whole list of participating organizations listed on the website.

2) Shopping in the ethical marketplace

The ethical marketplace is full of vendors that represent a larger movement. By purchasing items from these organizations, you can help support initiatives that give back to others, cultivate communities around the world, and ensure a socially-conscious lifestyle.

Shops such as Friendship Heart Gallery (offering artwork created through artistic expression by Artists with intellectual disabilities), Revolution Lancaster (offering jewelry made with the purpose to build relationships and community), Imagine Goods (offering products from around the world crafted by vulnerable and marginalized people to ensure they have fair wages), are all going to be there with items to sell.

For a complete list of vendors, visit online here.

3) An assortment of ethical eats

What’s better than eating a delicious lunch at the fair? How about eating a delicious lunch knowing your purchase goes back to those in need?

There will be some delicious food vendors at this event that support social missions.

Upohar Catering Services will be there serving delicious global cuisine. The mission behind Upohar is to employ, train, and pay living wages to people experiencing significant barriers to workforce entry (such as local women experiencing homelessness, or newly resettled refugees).

The Lancaster Sweet Shoppe will also be there with their mouthwatering stroopies. This dessert destination has helped refugees in Lancaster find employment.

Then, refresh with a bottle of water or tea from Humankind Water. Each bottle of water purchased supports initiatives to create clean drinking water by providing funds to develop systems and wells in communities around the world.

Keep checking the website for up-to-date information regarding even more food vendors!

4) Family-friendly educational fun

It’s always important to educate the next generation on the importance of human rights and supporting others.

That’s why the gift fair has a special scavenger hunt for kids. There will be different stations where kids will learn different rights from the Declaration of Human Rights. And once the scavenger hunt is completed, there will be a book prize given out to participants.

From ethical shopping and mission-focused organizations, to delicious food and kid-friendly activities, you don’t want to miss the 11th Annual Gifts that Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair this holiday season on Saturday, December 8, 2018 from 10am to 4pm. Find out all the information regarding this event on the event website.