Christine's Corner: Giving gifts with a purpose

As you are giving gifts this holiday season, why not give ones that have a purpose? Here are a few websites that either are fair trade or non-profit organizations. Happy Shopping!

Ten Thousand Villages:Ten Thousand Villages is more than a store. They are a global maker‑to‑market movement that breaks the cycle of generational poverty and ignites social change. They are a way for you to shop with intention for ethically-sourced wares — and to share in the joy of empowering makers in ten thousand villages.

As a pioneer of fair trade, they do business differently, putting people and planet first. That means you can trust that every handmade purchase and donation you make directly impact the life and community of its maker in a developing country.

Thistle Farms: Thistle Farms is a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to helping women survivors recover and heal from prostitution, trafficking, and addiction. They do this by providing a safe place to live, a meaningful job, and a lifelong sisterhood of support.

Feed Projects: Hunger is a daily reality for approximately 795 million people, and one of the most effective solution to combat this crisis is school feeding. With every product they sell, they provide school meals to the most vulnerable communities across the globe, through on-the-ground partners.

Greater Good:GreaterGood® empowers people around the world to affect positive change by making ordinary online actions extraordinary. When you shop at a GreaterGood store, or take other actions at one of our cause sites, you generate funding (free to you!) that benefits people, pets, and the planet. As a registered fundraiser for Greater Good Charities, GreaterGood has proudly funded more than $60 million in charitable donations.

Ethic Goods:Ethic Goods provides economic empowerment for women rescued from human trafficking, and those at risk of exploitation. They work primarily in South East Asia, and partner with non-profits that provide holistic care (counseling, education, and health care), focus on strengthening the family unit, and have demonstrated a community centered approach. They also believe business has a role to play in empowering the women they work with, which is where we come in. By coming alongside these magnificent ladies to develop their business skills, they have the opportunity to provide for their families and set their children on a new, hope-filled path.