GTGH To Return To Farm And Home Center
Founder Jenn Knepper is excited about holding a live Gifts That Give Hope (GTGH) fair this year. The fair will feature about 30 nonprofit organizations, including more than a dozen marketplace vendors with fair trade items, and several food trucks. Knepper has noticed a buying trend toward locally made items and concern for a greater cause. "People are being more intentional about shopping," she said. "There's something for everyone at this fair."
The 14th annual event is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12, at the Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster. The fair focuses on nonprofits and other organizations that provide life-changing benefits to people.
Luisa Tapia has been taking part in the event since 2019. Her business, My Peruvian Treasures, features fairly traded sustainable products made by women in Peru. "A portion of our sales goes to community programs," explained Tapia.
Also showcasing products at the fair this year will be Revolution Lancaster, a social enterprise with a mission to empower women who are experiencing homelessness or facing barriers. Dana Robertson is the board chair. "We recruit (women living in Lancaster), and they handcraft jewelry," said Robertson, who noted the makers are paid a fair and living wage to help empower them financially. "We are not yet able to employ them full time, but we are able to give them supplemental income," she explained, adding, "It's about the supportive community."
Bethany Christian Services is known for adoption work, but Candace Reynolds will represent the organization's Safe Families for Children program at GTGH. "We ... believe everyone deserves to be loved, connected, and safe," said Reynolds, who noted that Safe Families is designed to support families in crisis by bridging gaps with emergency child care and other types of help.
Bench Mark, a youth development and mentoring program, will be represented at the fair for the first time by founder and executive director Will Kiefer. "We will be talking about the opportunity to give through Bench Mark to our students," explained Kiefer, who noted there will be opportunities to provide scholarships for mentoring time in the gym, career development services, academic services, and leadership training.
Food trucks that will be present at the event include Walk-O Taco; Homage, which specializes in ethnic foods particularly from West Africa; and Character Coffee. Character Coffee partner Megan Foltz sells organic and fair trade products, and the truck uses Humankind Beverage products to make coffee. Humankind donates a portion of sales to clean water projects in developing countries. "We will have chai, Mexican hot chocolate, and espresso," said Foltz.
Knepper pointed out that since GTGH will be held on a Sunday this year, those who plan to attend might consider stopping for lunch and a little shopping after church. To learn more, readers may visit http://www.giftsthatgivehope.org/lancaster or search for "Gifts That Give Hope: Lancaster's Alternative Gift Fair" on Facebook.
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