Millions of people around the world and in our own community face daily struggles to obtain food, shelter, medical care, and basic education. This Christmas you can make a positive difference in their lives. Just choose to make a donation to any of the ministries offered through the Sardis Alternative Gift Market and your gift will change the lives of children and families right here in Charlotte as well as in Haiti.
Why Alternative Giving?
- As followers of Jesus Christ, we are encouraged to help our neighbors who are in need.
- Your donation to the Alternative Gift Market makes an impact on many lives, including children and families locally and internationally with our partners in Haiti and Kenya.
- Alternative giving is made easy at Sardis – several non-profit choices and an online shopping option. What a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus!
How do you Shop?
You can learn more about the agencies we are supporting this year by reading their description below. You may “shop” online and gift your donations using the link below. If you’d like an acknowledgement card, you may pick one up from the Mission Corner in the Gathering Place anytime. SHOP ONLINE HERE
Your gift will help improve the lives of our friends in Bayonnais, Haiti by supporting student education, and a hot meal on school days. Your donation will go to the local non-profit, Friends Empowering Haiti(formerly OFCB), which provides funds to support the ICB School. Even though there has been ongoing unrest in parts of Haiti, which keeps us from visiting, the school has been able to continue and provides hope to this community.
Your gift will help empower working families experiencing homelessness to achieve life-long self-sufficiency through short-term sheltering where families are empowered to manage a household budget, establish healthy routines, and become more involved in their children’s education.
Your gift will help families in our community as they navigate the challenges of poverty; striving to achieve their financial, educational, employment, and family goals. Families Forward Charlotte provides individualized mentoring, educational opportunities, and essential support as the mentor walks alongside each family on their journey toward long-term stability and economic mobility.
Your gift to Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity puts God’s love into action; bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. By partnering with limited income families, volunteers, and community sponsors, Habitat for Humanity provides decent affordable homes for their community.
Mother Esther Rescue School in Kenya, Presbyterian Church of East Africa: One of several Presbyterian Church/East Africa centers in Kenya rescuing girls from tribal abduction, physical torture, and early marriage, offering them protection and hope through education and safe living conditions.
Your gift will support the Backpack Program through Planting Seeds of Hope, our partnership with Rama Road Elementary School. This program provides a backpack filled by Second Harvest Foodbank with nutritious, ready-to-eat or easy-to-prepare foods on weekends and holidays for
children at the school who are at risk of hunger. Often, this is their only source of food for the weekend.