The fourth annual Alternative Giving Market of the Palouse was on Dec. 5, but the online market continues until Dec. 8. The market, which provides participants an opportunity to give the gift of donations rather than tangible goods, benefited 28 local and national nonprofit foundations this year.
The Palouse Choral Society is singing Christmas carols to the crowd at the Alternative Giving Market of the Palouse on Wednesday at the Prichard Gallery downtown Moscow. Local charities and organizations give locals the opportunity to donate to their charity of choice in exchange for a card that acknowledges their donation as a gift to give to others.
At the market, representatives from each nonprofit organization attended to talk about the organization, accept donations and provide a gift card so the donation can be given in someone else’s name. The gifts range from donating $5 for a pound of nails to help build a home for someone in need, to donating $5 to release a baby sea turtle into the Pacific Ocean.
“The organization loves what they are doing and it shows. It has great people and is a great organization,” said Cara Lehman, marketing coordinator for University of Idaho Housing.
The Alternative Giving Market was co-founded by Dianne Laursen and Renee Hill.
“We basically have three audiences. One is community that already knows the nonprofits and wants to support them, one is you are curious about the nonprofits and want to learn about them, and one is literally people who have just touched your life and you just want to give to,” Laursen said.
The amount raised each year from the market has increased every year. The first year there was about $8,000 raised, the next year, $10,000 and the third year they raised $13,350.
“For students we say take a piece of the Palouse and take it home to your family and for students if you have six people you need to buy for you could be done shopping after $30,” Laursen said.
The online market opened up on Nov. 23 and will continue until Dec. 8. The festivities will also happen from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Winter Market at the 1912 Center.
“There is not a better way to support the quality of where you live than supporting your local nonprofits,” Laursen said.
Laursen said the market has enough variety that anyone can find something meaningful to give for an affordable price.
She said there were more than 128 nonprofits that applied this year, but the market only has enough room for the selected 28.
“I think that it is important when you live in a small town to support the town where you live,” Laursen said.
Laursen said this program could not happen without UI students. There are volunteers from the Women’s Center, volunteers from the resident halls who hand out fliers and help set up before the big day, marketing students who created the posters and many more.
Erin Roetker can be reached at [email protected]
Ricky Scuderi | Argonaut
The Palouse Choral Society sing Christmas carols to the crowd at the Alternative Giving Market of the Palouse on Wednesday at the Prichard Gallery, downtown Moscow. Local charities and organizations give locals the opportunity to donate to their charity of choice in exchange for a card that acknowledges their donation as a gift to give to others.