As the “Global Day of Giving”, Giving Tuesday began seven years ago when the United Nations Foundation and the 92nd Street Y in New York City sought a way to turn attention away from the consumerism of Black Friday and focus on the spirit of giving. On this year’s day of giving, we are here to encourage you to find a way to give that most impacts issues that are important to you, potentially changing lives along the way.
Alabama Chanin harnesses the spirit of giving, year round, in ways that you can join in and participate. Each year we offer several Friends of the Café Dinners at The Factory in partnership with a visiting chef. The proceeds benefit the Southern Foodways Alliance, a non-profit who documents, studies, and explores the diverse food cultures of the changing American South—and who has inspired and helped us with our own Project Threadways.
We also continue our work with non-profit Nest, who are currently helping us raise money for a digital pattern maker. The technology will be used not only by Alabama Chanin but also by Nest’s network of over 450 artisans worldwide. You can contribute to our work with Nest by visiting here.
If you are looking for other ways to give this year, we currently offer a number of opportunities that can make an immediate impact on the lives and communities of others. We have partnered with Rosanne Cash to offer exclusive “The River and The Thread” t-shirts, sold only at Alabama Chanin and at Rosanne’s concerts. The proceeds of the shirts’ sales benefit the groundbreaking, Alabama-based Equal Justice Initiative— who is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.
For this year’s Giving Tuesday, we are also offering pre-orders for a special t-shirt benefitting One to None—an organization that focuses on raising awareness about and fighting Type 1 diabetes. One to None’s goal is to raise money for research for Type 1 diabetes and to provide financial assistance to those who need help through fashion, fitness, and food. Look for more information about this new organization on the Journal in the coming weeks. Both of these shirts are offered through our ethically made Clean Tee program featuring organic cotton t-shirts for men and women.
No matter what your goal or hope for the world, we hope that you will find some way to give and to make a difference. Don’t forget to hashtag your posts with #GivingTuesday and show your support for the cause.