Every year, Grand Valley Peace and Justice and St. Joseph's Parish sponsor an alternative to buying traditional gifts for friends and family for the many holidays that take place in and around December.

Their event is called The Alternative Christmas Fair and it is this Sunday, November 23rd from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Joseph Parish Hall, located at 3rd and White Avenue.

There will be booths available that will be offering gifts that you buy in honor of one of your loved ones, while at the same time benefitting communities and individuals around the world. When you buy a gift, volunteers write out cards by hand acknowledging that gift, and you then give the card to someone special.

For example, a donation of $10 pays for nine meals for one person at the Food Bank. Volunteers will then make out a card that tells the person you are giving a gift to that a donation was made in their name.

If you can’t make the fair you can also shop by mail. Call Grand Valley Peace and Justice at 243-0136.