When you give a gift, you get the joy of giving and the recipient gets the joy of receiving. But what if you could up the joy by also helping out a great cause at the same time? That’s a win-win-win! There are many national and international agencies that offer gifts this time of year, but if you want to keep it local, here are five places that offer terrific products and support friends and neighbors right here in middle Tennessee.
HUMPHREYS STREET
Image: Humphreys Street
Enjoy a great cup of joe and support students with every sip. Every cup of Humphreys Street coffee you drink is hand crafted with care by a staff of students in South Nashville. 100% of their profits are reinvested into programs and scholarships that support the students.
When a local teen applies for and receives a job at Humphreys Street, they are trained in the art of roasting coffee and creating handcrafted body products and are given the opportunity to earn money in a neighborhood where few positive economic opportunities exist. Humphreys Street employs 16 teens per year and generates revenue that is poured directly back into the community and the students they serve. Humphreys Street is a social enterprise of Harvest Hands CDC.
Where to shop: Visit the Coffee Shop at 424 Humphreys Street, Nashville, TN 37203 or order online.
NASHVILLE ARTISTS COLLECTIVE
18 X 24 Oil on Canvas by Jeremy Fowler available here. Image: Nashville Artist Collective
Gift a piece of original art, support a local artist, and help women and children in Tennessee all at the same time. The Nashville Artist Collective is an online gallery that provides a platform for local artists to grow their potential and to provide collectors, young or experienced, access to affordable original art.
Believing that “It is important to our group as local artists and community members to contribute back to our community” the Collective is committed to giving a portion of sales to a specified charity. In December, the beneficiary is Advocates for Women’s and Kids’ Equality (AWAKE), a grassroots nonprofit organization with a mission to advocate for the advancement of women and kids in Tennessee.
Where to shop: 438 Melrose Avenue, Nashville, TN 37211 or online at Nashville Artist Collective.
BUTTERMILK SKY PIE
Image: Buttermilk Sky Pie
Giving and giving back is extra sweet at Buttermilk Sky Pie. Winner of the Cooking Channel’s Sugar Showdown, Buttermilk Sky Pie has a classic pie menu based on memories of the founders’ grandmothers’ specialties. Pies come in 9-inch, 4-inch and 2-inch sizes (which would fit neatly into a stocking, don’t you think?).
Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop considers it a privilege to give back. Each month, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of one of their pies is donated to a special organization in the communities where they are located. Check out their Holiday Gift Guide.
Where to shop: Pick up a pie at 5050 Carothers Parkway Suite 104, Franklin, TN 37067, get it delivered or have it shipped!
THISTLE FARMS
Image: Thistle Farms
Thistle Farms offers candles, body products, essential oils, jewelry, apparel, household textiles and more handcrafted by women survivors in Nashville, TN and around the world.
Thistle Farms is a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to helping women survivors recover and heal from prostitution, trafficking, and addiction. They provide a safe place to live, a meaningful job, and a lifelong sisterhood of support. With each purchase, you help these women live a life they never thought possible.
Where to shop: Stop by their West Nashville shop and enjoy lunch at the café at 5122 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209 or check out their online store for gift sets, seasonal scents and more.
THE RUSSELL
Image: The Russell
Book a stay at The Russell and help change lives. Formerly a historic (1904) church, The Russell has 23 rooms decked out with original stained-glass windows, exposed brick walls, and pews converted into headboards. Located in historic East Nashville, The Russell is a 5-minute walk to Five Points and some of the best local restaurants, coffee shops, concert venues, and boutique shops in town. Staycation, anyone?
You and the lucky person who receives this gift can both sleep soundly knowing a percentage of each night’s stay goes to local nonprofits that help those experiencing homelessness in Nashville The average weekend stay provides either 16 nights in a bed, 100 free showers or 30 free meals. Since 2016, The Russell has provided over 16,000 beds and meals through their charity partners.
Where to shop: Gift certificates available here or by calling 615-861-9535. The Russell is located at 819 Russell St., Nashville TN 37206.
0 Comments