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Why “Fair Trade?”
It’s time
for holiday gift giving again – does that make your head spin when
you try to think of something unique to give to your favorite
“person who has everything”? Why not make your
selection from one of the websites listed below, where you can buy
coffee, chocolate, jewelry, or make a donation in the name of your
loved one to benefit someone in a far away place?
Your decision to shop “fair trade” provides farmers and
craftspeople in developing countries with opportunities they might
not find elsewhere.
Items are produced in worker owned cooperatives
by workers who all receive a fair wage for their work
This enables
local development initiatives in education, health care,
agriculture.
You receive beautiful
hand crafted jewelry, accessories, toys, articles for the home.
Foods are healthier
without harmful pesticides or chemicals that damage the environment,
the workers or their families.
In
addition, some organizations work with communities to end hunger and
poverty and care for the
earth by empowering lives of self-reliance and hope with gifts of
livestock and training, helping families improve their nutrition and
generate income in sustainable ways.
Your support of
these organizations is a way for you to make a difference in the
lives of others,
Whatsoever you do for the least of my people, that you do unto Me.
Check out these sites:
Feed the poor, self-sufficiency, better society, promote health
Hundreds of beautiful gifts, household items, jewelry, clothing and
toys, all handmade
Fairly traded goods from around the world. Shop online or at their
Perimeter Place store near Perimeter Mall
Works
with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth. by
empowering lives of self-reliance and hope with gifts of livestock and
training, helping families improve their nutrition and generate income
in sustainable ways.
Has an extensive selection of Fair Trade coffee and chocolate. Shop
on-line or visit their store at the Peachtree Corners Forum.
The Literacy Site:
https://theliteracysite.greatergood.com/store
Fair trade gifts at reasonable prices. Also check the Animal
Rescue site, Hunger site, Rainforest site, etc. |
As baptized Catholic Christians, we are compelled to
carry out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to
assist the poor and vulnerable both here and overseas. We must be
motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cherish, preserve and
uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life, foster charity
and justice.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty
and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you
clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous* will answer him and say, ‘Lord,
when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you
drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and
clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say
to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine,
you did for me.’ - Matthew 25:35-40
The central message is simple: our faith is
profoundly social. We cannot be called truly “Catholic” unless we
hear and heed the Church's call to serve those in need and work for
justice and peace. - Communities of Salt and Light, U.S. Bishops,
1993
For more information,
click here.
 
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