St. Michael’s Episcopal has hosted “holiday shopping with a conscience” since the mid-1990’s, offering free space to socially-committed nonprofit groups. To protect vendors and patrons alike, there will be no physical event this year. But you can still support these groups.
St. Michael’s Guatemala Project
Sales: Coordinator, ilaa@mindspring.com, (520) 623-3063. In the wings – possible outdoor “safe distancing” limited morning sale December 12. Contact the coordinator.
What’s for sale: Maya traditional textiles, including morrales (satchels) made from traditional fabrics, plus a few Guatemala trinkets. All made and purchased in Guatemala, many from rural communities with which the Project has a 27-year relationship.
Who benefits: Maya of the CPR-Sierra, who became refugees in their own country during Guatemala’s 36-year internal conflict, and their own community health volunteers. Presently experiencing double drenching from Eta, followed now by Iota, which has led to infrastructure collapse in the Ixil Area, home to communities we know, and elsewhere — bridges destroyed, multiple landslides and flooding, isolating already-remote mountain communities. Major concern: potential crop damage.
Prices: $2 to $15 non-traditional, $20 to $150 traditional textiles.
Tax-deductible donations: St. Michael’s Guatemala Project, 602 N. Wilmot Road, Tucson, AZ 85711. Online via church website: http://www.smallangelstucson.org. Select “Faithstreet” secure donation, and choose Guatemala Project from the Options. All funds go to the Project. Prefer PayPal, same website? Just make sure you indicate the donation is for St. Michael’s Guatemala Project.
Photo: Morral from huipil fabric.
Cafe Justo — Just Coffee
What’s for Sale: Organic, fair-traded coffee grown by small farmers in Chiapas, also hard-hit by Eta, and roasted in Agua Prieta. Arabica, Robusta, and more — whole bean or ground, medium roast or dark roast.
Who Benefits: Coffee growers and roasters who can live with dignity and support themselves in their own country. AND coffee drinkers (it’s really good, especially the “dark roast” option).
How to order: https://www.justcoffee.org/.
Many Tucson-area faith groups also stock Just Coffee. Among them — Southside Presbyterian, St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal, Unitarian Universalist Church. Prices and availability vary, usually $10 per pound and up. Check with the individual locations.
Ben’s Bells Project
Sales: http://shop.bensbells.org or 520-622-1379 ext 0.
What’s for sale: Kindness themed goods including handmade wind-chimes made in part by volunteer community members.
Who benefits: The greater Tucson community as all profits are reinvested back into kindness education and community art studio programming.
Donations: https://bensbells.org/donate/
Photo: 2020 ornament
Jodi Vander Ploeg, Merchandise Manager
Address: Ben’s Bells Project, 40 W Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: 520.622.1379 x1008
Arizona Palestine Solidarity Alliance (APSA)
Sales: Mohyeddin Abdulaziz (Mohye), email – ArizonaPalestine@gmail.com
What’s for sale: olive oil from Palestine (750 ml bottles) + za’atar, soap (100% olive oil), kufiyyas, T-Shirts, ceramics and olive wood products from Palestine, posters
Who benefits: Union of Agricultural Workers in Palestine, other communities and artisans in Palestine.
Donations: Arizona Palestine Solidarity Alliance (APSA) – http://www.ArizonaPalestine.org. Click on the DONATE tab.
Photo: items on sale at last year’s Bazaar.
Address: Arizona Palestine Solidarity Alliance, c/o Alliance for Global Justice 225 E. 26th St. Suite 1, Tucson, AZ 85713
Ten Thousand Villages
Clearance: St. Michael’s Social Action Committee has a limited selection of ornaments and jewelry on sale from last year’s order. Among them: Cambodian jewelry made from brass bombshell casings and Ecuadoran “plant ivory” earrings made from a special palm kernel All are at wholesale or lower prices. Price range, $1 to $25. Interested? Contact Ila Abernathy, ilaa@mindspring.com, 623-3063, for details.
To order new merchandise directly and help struggling artisans worldwide: http://www.tenthousandvillages.com.
ELFA, serving Syrian refugee women and youth in Tucson.
Face masks – $10. Refugee women have sent hundreds, to Matamoros refugee camps and to others in need. Available for individual purchase. Double cloth, with protective interior lining.
Syrian Meals – $10 (vegetarian) and $12 (chicken or beef shawarma) – Catering for 5 or more, even 100’s, prepared under controlled conditions. Sweets $2, handmade soaps, $5.
Orders, purchases – Rania Kanawati, Coordinator, (520) 494-2383.
Tax-deductible donations, information – ELFA, https://www.elfaempowerment.org.
African Education Fund – Swaziland
Handmade Sisal Baskets from Swaziland, to support the African Education Fund – Swaziland, based in Tucson.
A St. Michael’s Bazaar favorite. Prices: $20-25, depending on size.
Purchases, Tucson:
Silke & Bill Hoffmann
silkeandbill@gmail.com
520 323-0814
Information, donations: www.AfricaneducationSwaziland.org.
Email: africaneducationfund@gmail.com