Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift that benefits those in need? The St. Cloud Mission Office has an onsite store, providing shoppers with a place to purchase unique gifts from all over the world.
Elizabeth Brown, director of the Mission Office, shared that featuring fair trade products in their shop is one way they meet their goal to educate the community about fair trade products, promote awareness of Catholic social teaching and create opportunities to live out the baptismal call to love and care for our neighbors.
“Fair trade is a simple lifestyle choice people can make to live out our Catholic social teachings,” she said. “It is important to build respectful and enduring relationships with our farmers and artisans.”
The Mission Office serves 185 countries through the combined efforts of the Missionary Appeal Program, their missioners and mission connections, Catholic Relief Services, World Mission Sunday and their brick-and-mortar fair trade shop.
This year, the Mission Office, located at11 8th Ave. S. in St. Cloud, hosts their Advent and Christmas Fair Trade Sale through December 19. The store is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offers a 10% discount to all shoppers during the sale.
The below shopping guide features some of the items available at their shop.
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GIFTS FOR MEN
1 Chocolate Bars — $4 each
Crafted by woman owned company, Seattle Chocolate, each of the chocolate bars are produced with ethically sourced ingredients and 10% of net profits goes to support women and girls. Over twenty flavors available including: Campers’ S’mores, Cafe Latte Crunch, Peanut Butter Pretzel, Hazelnut Butter Crisp, Meltaway Mint, Crunch Peanut Butter and Mexican Hot Cocoa.
2 Ceramic Mug — $14
Handcrafted in Vietnam. The purchase of this mug invests in families and community programs.
3 Bottle opener — $6.50
Made in Kenya by local artisans using bone.
4 Metal Cross — $15
Depicts Jesus and 12 disciples and is made from recycled car engine parts and other scrap aluminum. Created by a small family run aluminum casting workshop in Nicaragua.
5 Aa’atar Peace Mix — $8
This spice blend supports land preservation, Arab farmers in Israel and modeling peace between Arab and Jewish women.
Smoked Hot Rocks Chili Salt — $5
Packed in South Africa with a portion of the price going to education of workers and their families.
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GIFTS FOR WOMEN
Necklace — $28
Handmade by artisans with lapis lazuli and silver.
Earrings—$18
Handcrafted by a mother daughter duo from the western United States.
Dish — $6
A Kisii Sister from a diocese in Kenya handcrafts these dishes from soapstone.
Elephant Trivet — $12
Handcrafted and ethically made by artisans in Sarangpur India using techniques passed down through generations.
Fabric Wrap — $6
Handmade in India from up cycled Indian saris.
Stackable Rings — $14
Handcrafted with silver in India.
Bucket Bag — $36
Created with pulled fiber in Himalayas.
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TRIM THE TREE
Elephant — $6
Made from repurposed fabric printing blocks. Made in India.
Paper Star — $4
Handcrafted from recycled paper.
Rooster —$ 8.50
Handcrafted with paper quills. Purchase helps environment, fights poverty, reduces gang violence and helps to keep dying arts alive.
Ceramic Angels — $10
Boy with Panflute — $5
Made from terracotta in India.
Not pictured:
Dove — $8.25
Handcrafted from a gourd in Peru. and Kitty — $6
Handcrafted by refugees around the world using paper mâché.
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RELIGIOUS ITEMS
1 Mini Hawaiian Nativity — $14
Mary and Joseph stand approximately an inch tall. Handmade in Peru.
2 Nativity Ornament — $11
Handmade from cinnamon bark and recycled paper.
3 Nativity — $22
Handmade in Peru.
4 Crucifix Dark — $24
Handcrafted in Papua New Guinea.
5 Franciscan Cross — $12
Handcrafted.
6 Crucifix —$12
Gold leafed and hand painted image of crucified Christ on wooden cross created in the Holy Land.