For Immediate Release - December 12th, 2023
The Guelph Tool Library is teaming up with several local organizations and businesses to offer shoppers a chance at sustainable shopping for the holiday season at their Last Minute Market on Saturday, December 16th from 11-3 in Old Quebec Street Shoppes.
The Guelph Tool Library, a non-profit lending library in Downtown Guelph, is holding a Last Minute Market where shoppers can pick up everything from upcycled decor to local honey. All of the vendors in the market are from Guelph and the surrounding area, and about half of the vendors are also members of the Guelph Tool Library.
The market will take place on the main level of Old Quebec Street Shoppes from 11-3 on Saturday, December 16th.
In addition to the 30+ vendors, there will also be an upcycled gift wrapping station featuring workers from the Jobs Opportunities Enterprise, which provides employment opportunities for adults with disabilities. The JOE staff have been working in the GTL Circular Store, the sliding-scale thrift store that is operated by the Guelph Tool Library. Gift wrapping will be available by donation. The Guelph Tool Library will also be selling their upcycled quilt kits from the Rags to Rugs program, which rescues fabric from otherwise unusable textile items donated to The Circular Store. Kits will be available for $10 for a 20 piece kit and $20 for a 50 piece kit.
“Volunteers from Community of Hearts and staff members from the JOE program and Circular Store have been working diligently on the Rags to Rugs program, sorting items that can be repaired and sold, and sorting unsellable textiles by type so that they can be cut in to quilting squares or used for woven rugs.”
Says Communications and Outreach Coordinator, Steph Clarke.
The Circular Store will also be collecting items for their free Community Care bins, which provide hygiene and personal care items to anyone facing financial barriers.
The most needed items include:
• new socks and underwear
• menstrual hygiene products
• soap and shampoo
• deodorant
• toothbrushes & toothpaste
The Circular Store can accept any new, unopened and unexpired product, including sample and trial sizes. All donations are greatly appreciated as they work to support those in need in our community.
This program has been supported by a Guelph Community Foundation Community Grant in collaboration with Kortright Presbyterian Church. 991.jpg)
To provide additional support to this program and to their friends in Downtown Guelph, the Circular Store is also collecting monetary donations to offset the cost of gift certificates. They aim to raise $2000 by December 22nd so that they can distribute 100 gift certificates valued at $20 each.
These gift certificates will be given out on Saturday, December 23rd at The Bench.
Cash contributions can also be accepted in person at the Guelph Tool Library and Circular Store.
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