Shop for good causes at Alternative Gift Market

Trinity Church in Menlo Park hosts an Alternative Gift Market on two consecutive Sundays — Dec. 4 and 11 — from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

“We think a lot of people appreciate the ability to give something that’s an alternative to more ‘stuff’ and directly benefits those in need and nonprofit organizations,'” said the Rev. Frannie Hall Kieschnick, Senior Associate Rector at the church and one of the organizers.

You’ll find mosquito nets for families in Africa, recyclable gift bags, handmade ceramic ornaments, hand crafts from Africa and Menlo-made knitted hats. You can “buy” a goat for a third-world country (and get a gift card to give) or wonderful body products from Thistle Farms.

Money will be collected to buy turkeys for St. Anthony’s Padua Dining Room; donations can also be made for the El Hogar School in Guatemale and the work of GAIA in Malawi.

If this is your year to downsize for Christmas, you can turn in your unwanted ornaments and decorations for sale to folks who are just starting out.

All proceeds benefit the various non-profits. Trinity Church is located at 330 Ravenswood in Menlo Park.

Photo from last year’s market by Jay Dean