Hunger, Poverty and the Economy

Think globally, act locally.  Catholic Relief Services has declared October as Fair Trade Awareness month.  The daily decisions you make as a consumer can make a real, positive difference in the world. When you choose to buy fair trade products you are making a strong connection with hardworking, but impoverished workers around the world.  Fair Trade products such as coffee and chocolate are available in local specialty shops, and now, even in mainstream retailers such as Walgreens, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.  Fair trade handcrafted items are well-made and beautiful, and are available at local stores such as Ten Thousand Villages (http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/home.php), It’s Our Earth (http://www.itsourearth.com/) in Wheaton, and many other online retailers.  Not only are you buying a lovely gift for yourself or someone else, you are helping artisans in developing nations provide for themselves and their families – giving them the resources for the simple necessities in life.

In honor of Fair Trade Awareness month, The JPIC Office is sponsoring a Fair Trade Coffee House on October 22nd in the Motherhouse Auditorium.  Join us for a cup of fair trade coffee, watch a short video, and enter a drawing to win free fair trade products.  Click here for more details.

Learn more about Fair Trade practices, products, and the artists and farmers who benefit at www.crsfairtrade.org.