Ten Thousand Villages of Austin’s Blog

Every so often, we co-host an event at our store with a local nonprofit. A percentage of that evening’s proceeds goes back to the particular nonprofit’s cause. The “catch” is that the more foot traffic the partner nonprofit brings in (which in turn translates into greater sales) the greater their share of the proceeds.

This past Thursday, we had the team from Tree Folks in our store handing out free saplings. In the past, we’ve hosted Meals on Wheels, Austin Girls’ Choir, Grazia Forte, and more.

Drop me a line if you know of a 501c3 that would like to partner with Ten Thousand Villages. (December is booked but Kitty is ready to fill the January and February calendar.)

How did we receive our Ten Thousand Villages name? Stated by the wise man Mahatma Gandi, "India is not to be found in its few cities, but in the 700,000 villages."

At our Austin village, we have a dedicated volunteer team, a great staff, and an exceptional board of directors who all work together and create a sense of community and kinship. We invite our customers to join in and learn about our mission, which connects the neighborhood to our overseas artisans.

Shop fair trade! Become a volunteer! Fundraise with a Benefit Night! There are lots of ways to enjoy what the Austin Ten Thousand Village has to offer.

So if you find yourself on South Congress, "SoCo", or enjoying the "its not just a zip code, its an attitude" area, stop by our village and see what fair trade can do for you!

-Kitty

How do I get involved in fair trade?

1. Shop fair trade
Fair trade is not the silver bullet to solve trade inequities nor the ideal long term solution for everyone. Your purchase, however, is a vital source of income for our partner artisan communities in more than 30 countries. Come visit us on May 30 to hear it firsthand from Illies.

2. Share the (product) story
Ask for an artisan story to accompany your purchase. I guarantee you that your friends will be intrigued to learn about the who, what, and why of the artisan that made the handicraft.

3. Volunteer
If fair trade is your cause and you can spare a couple of hours each month, give us a shout. Kitty and Polly runs a warm, welcoming store and will be happy to work with your schedule. Plus volunteers receive a 10 percent discount.

4. Benefit Nights
Ask us how your nonprofit group can organize a no-fuss fundraiser that receives up to 15 percent of sales. Businesses are welcomed to participate with proceeds going to charity.

5. Blah, blah, blah…
Invite us to talk to your group. Various schools, churches, green groups, etc. have enjoyed hearing us share how we walk the talk.

6. Take Action
Take it to the next level. Contact Texas Fair Trade Coalition to help advocate trade policy.

-Wilson