Five nonprofits raised a record $7500 at our third annual Holiday Pop-Up Sale, held on Dec. 14, 2024. While First Parish benefits from sales of gently used holiday décor and hosts a Kids’ Shop, the focus of this event has increasingly been on hosting social justice nonprofits, which sell handmade items to raise funds for their organizations. Three years ago, the featured organizations generated about $2,500 in sales, last year about $5,000, and this year a little over $7,500.
After the December sale, one group shared that they were able to make their yearly budget with our sale. Another wrote: “Just wanted to thank you again for the wonderful, heartwarming reception we enjoyed at the Pop-Up Sale. Everyone is so kind and welcoming that it makes it a tremendous pleasure to come and sell our Guatemalan handicrafts. We especially love the emphasis on supporting nonprofits committed to social justice.” Yet another wrote: “This money closed the gap in our funding for Holiday Food Baskets that Bendicion de Dios provides to 145 out of the 250 school families in Alotenango. The baskets include a Christmas dinner, food for a month, and toys for each of the children in the family.”
This year’s event featured four organizations supporting marginalized women and children, including:
- Project Have Hope – Empowering women and families in Uganda
- Under the Same Moon – Supporting children and families in Guatemala to break the cycle of poverty
- Sewing Seeds for Hope – Supporting Afghan women in the New England Area
- Equal Exchange – Featuring fair trade foods, supporting farmers around the world
For animal lovers, Let’s Save the Strays – a global organization focusing on population control and animal welfare – also was featured.
Thanks to everyone who joined us to “shop with a purpose!” We look forward to seeing you next year.