Riverside residents looking for an alternative to big-box holiday shopping can support local charities and nonprofits while finding handcrafted gifts at the Alternative Gift Fair on Dec. 7.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Riverside, 4845 Brockton Ave. This marks the 15th year the church has hosted the fair, which started in 1981 at First Christian Church before moving in 2010.
Shoppers will find fabric arts, handmade foods, books, jewelry, baklava, baskets, paper flowers and holiday cards. All proceeds benefit the participating organizations and their causes.
Vendors include Ten Thousand Villages, which supports fair trade globally; United Women in Faith; Heifer International; Inlandia Institute; Riverside Food Co-op; Human Migration Institute; Pencils and Dreams, which raises money for schools in Africa; The Paper Flower Initiative; Family Promise of Riverside; and PEO chapters.
The Paper Flower Initiative is run by Hong Anh Ly and young women ages 12 to 17 who create flowers from donated and upcycled paper and buttons. The group donates 100% of proceeds to help the local community.
Handcrafted dishtowels, scarves, dish scrubbies and holiday decor represent the busy hands of the United Women in Faith from two local United Methodist churches.
Handcrafted dishtowels featuring holiday designs made by United Women in Faith (left) and fair trade jewelry and accessories from Ten Thousand Villages (right). (Courtesy of Kris Lovekin)
New to the fair this year are Family Promise of Riverside and two PEO chapters. Malia Designs returns for a second year with colorful up-cycled wallets and bags made in Cambodia by artists working to combat sex trafficking.
Hong Anh Ly (left photo, center) and a member of The Paper Flower Initiative display handcrafted paper flowers at their booth. The teen-led group donates 100% of proceeds to local causes. At right, a vendor displays handcrafted items from the Human Migration Institute, which supports refugee and immigrant communities. (Courtesy of Kris Lovekin)
Outside, Inlandia Institute will feature local authors signing books from the literary nonprofit.
The fair includes free soup and bread, and musical entertainment featuring mountain dulcimer, recorders, piano and saxophone. Parking is free.
"We've learned that Riverside is full of active churches, people who believe in community and people who are giving their time and effort to make the world better for others," said Kris Lovekin, fair organizer.
Attendees are encouraged to bring shelf-stable food items for local food pantries. A collection basket will be available near the piano.
More information: Visit the Alternative Gift Fair on Facebook at facebook.com/alternativegiftfair.
