More than just bargain hunting
Interested in saving time and supporting socially just causes while shopping for friends and loved ones? Look no further!
CCHD's Economic Development Program promotes justice, human dignity, and self-sufficiency by supporting job creation and the establishment of businesses that provide decent wages, distribute profits more equitably, and ensure an active role for low-income persons in the governance of businesses.
Economic Development grants support the start-up and operation of numerous businesses and income-generating projects. These projects offer everything from organic cheese produced by family farmers to soaps made by women learning self-sufficiency skills .
We would like to inform you about the important missions and fine products of just a few of these groups:
The Community First Fund
The Enterprising Kitchen
Family Farmer Defenders
Four Bands
Good Dog! Biscuits and Treats
Mountain MicroEnterprise Fund
Native Harvest
Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition
Pastureland
Rural Coalition SuperMarket Project
Southwest Creations
Trillium Artisans
Woman Craft
Top
The Community First Fund (www.commfirstfund.org) was created in 1992 to expand economic opportunities to low-income populations and underserved communities. Their mission is to create economic opportunities and stronger communities throughout central Pennsylvania with affordable loans, one-on-one business counseling, and business training courses. They support businesses like these, among others:
Fries Flowers (www.friesflowers.net) features dish gardens, sterling earrings, notepads, bone china tea and coffee cups, decorative napkins with holders and matching paper plates, balloons, silk and dry wreaths and arrangements, for any special occasion or event.
Gift Baskets by G&H (www.giftbasketsbygh.com) offers packages and gift baskets for all occasions.
Top
The Enterprising Kitchen, Inc. (www.theenterprisingkitchen.org ) is a nonprofit business created to provide 
employment and life skills training to women working towards self-sufficiency and independence. The Enterprising Kitchen produces high quality products in an environment that enables women to maximize their individual potential and self-esteem.
Browse their online catalog of aromatic handmade soaps, bath salts, and spa products.
Top
Family Farmer Defenders (www.supermarketcoop.com/ffd.htm ) is a coalition of organizations and individuals committed to the creation of farmer-controlled and consumer-oriented food and fiber food production. Through direct sales of Family Farmer Cheese , the project gives farmers a fair price for their product, promotes hormone-free cheese, and encourages sustainable methods of farming and humane care for the animals.
Family Farmer Cheese is available online from the Rural Coalition Super Market Project . Click on Family Farm Defenders Cheese under Holiday Gifts.
Top
Four Bands
(www.fourbands.org/directory.htm),a project of the Four Bands Community Fund/Icahya Weocun, serves as a business incubator to support the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation artists, businesses, and entrepreneurs to market their services and products. Click on “businesses and services,” and select a category to see a directory of businesses offering Native American jewelry, quilts, clothing, art, and much more.
Top
Good Dog! Biscuits and Treats (www.gooddoglcs.org), based in Lawrence, Kansas, is the first 
entrepreneurial project developed by and for guests of the Lawrence Community Shelter. Shelter guests mix, bake, package, and distribute several varieties of gourmet dog biscuits each week at the Farmer's Market in downtown Lawrence, and through area churches and businesses. You can order these tasty dog treats through their Web site.
Top
Mountain Microenterprise Fund's (www.mtnmicro.org ) mission is to create and sustain jobs by enabling low- to moderate-income 
people, who are often considered "unbankable" by commercial banks, to start or expand economically viable microbusinesses. Mountain Microenterprise Fund operates in eleven rural Appalachian counties in western North Carolina that suffer high levels of poverty and isolation. Two of the many successful businesses supported by the Mountain Enterprise Fund are Dave Desmelik, music artist www.davedesmelik.com
World’s Best Carrot Cake www.worldsbestcarrotcake.com
Top
Native Harvest (www.nativeharvest.com ) is a project of the White Earth Land Recovery Project. WELRP’s mission is to facilitate the recovery of the original land base of the White Earth Indian Reservation while preserving and restoring traditional practices of sound land stewardship, language fluency, community development, and strengthening our spiritual and cultural heritage. Native Harvest markets locally grown foods and products.
Visit their online catalogue, and click on Unique New Products for 2009 to see everything from organic wild rice to maple syrup, and Native American jewelry to birch bark baskets.
Top
Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition (OVEC) (www.ohvec.org) is a nationally recognized grassroots organization dedicated 
to preserving and protecting the environment through education, grassroots organizing and coalition building, leadership development, and media outreach. Much of their work is in West Virginia area. Browse their online store at www.cafepress.com/ohvec to order t-shirts, hats, bags, and more.
Top
Pastureland (www.pastureland.coop ) dairy products are produced in southeast Minnesota from the milk of cows that spend their days 
grazing lush pastures. Environmental stewardship and healthy cows are fundamental to Pastureland farmers. Their pastures prevent erosion, while providing a humane environment for cows and a healthy habitat for wildlife. No antibiotics or hormones are used to enhance the growth or production of these dairy herds.
Purchase their artisan butter and cheeses at www.pastureland.coop/buy/direct.
Top
Rural Coalition SuperMarket Project (www.supermarketcoop.com ) is a project of the Rural Coalition, an international alliance of regionally and culturally diverse organizations working to build a more just and sustainable food system. The SuperMarket Project is a collaborative effort that brings the products of small rural producers to a broader market through the Internet. Shop their online selection of crafts, art, and healthy foods .
Top
Southwest Creations (www.southwestcreations.com) is a textile production facility opened in 1994 to create good jobs for low-income women that support dignity and provide opportunities to grow. They provide affordable on-site child care, health information services, and adult education. Southwest Creations services the production needs of companies like these:
MaXimo (www.maximodesign.com) designer textiles for the home
Susan Todd Designs (www.susantodd.com) handbags
Magic Cabin (www.magiccabin.com) all-natural dolls, toys, and crafts
Top
Trillium Artisans’ (www.trilliumartisans.org) primary goal is to help low-income artisans increase their craft business 
income and build sustainable micro-enterprises. All products reflect the commitment to sustainability, are created with at least 50 percent recycled or reclaimed materials, and are priced to pay the artisan a living wage.
Order home décor, garden art, gift cards, hand bags, jewelry, gifts for your pets, and more.
WomanCraft (www.womancraft.net ) allows formerly homeless women an opportunity to earn income, gain work history, and learn valuable job skills by creating high quality handmade recycled papers and gifts. They also take custom orders.
Top
Learn More about CCHD’s Economic Development Program
Top