A local non-profit store, The Welcome Mat, will participate in a fair trade International Mission Store to be held Nov. 12 and 13 at First United Methodist Church in Valparaiso. The market, which is open to the public, offers merchandise from developing regions of the world and will be held at the church at 103 Franklin St., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 to 11 a.m. Sunday.
The International Mission Store, being held for the 10th time, offers an exquisite collection of items for home décor, musical instruments, jewelry, personal accessories and other handmade gifts crafted by skilled artisans in developing regions of the world. Items available are provided through SERRV International, based in New Windsor, Md., and Ten Thousand Villages, based in Akron, Pa., both non-profit organizations and founding members of the World Fair Trade Organization with networks of artisans throughout the world. The Welcome Mat, a new fair trade store in Valparaiso, also will provide items for sale.
The church’s Mission Store provides a unique shopping experience that supports the artisans who create the items sold. Purchases of these fairly-traded gifts provide income, dignity, and hope to people in more than 30 developing regions of the world. Goods from Haiti are a focus this year.
The store will provide a craft table for children to enjoy and learn about some of the third world countries while parents shop. Gourmet food samples from Haiti will be offered along with fair traded coffee, teas and other food items available for purchase. The Mission Store is wheel chair accessible and check and cash are accepted. For more information, call 464-1661 or 464-4301.