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Fair Trade Market returning for holidays
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Shown are Carol Woodmancsee, left, Nancy Williams, center, and Mary Ann June displaying some of the items that will be for sale at the Fair Trade Market that runs Nov. 10-13 at R.B. Tellers in downtown Great Bend. - photo by DALE HOGG Great Bend Tribune

This holiday season, one can find unique gifts made by artisans from around the world at the Fair Trade Market at R.B. Tellers, 1210 Main St. in downtown Great Bend.

The sale runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting Wednesday, Nov. 10, and lasting through Saturday, Nov. 13. Each day, everyone who attends the sale may put their name into a drawing for a chance to win a door prize. The drawing will be at 3 p.m. Saturday. There is no charge to enter in the drawing and you do not need to be present to win.

At the market, shoppers will find handcrafted baskets, Christmas ornaments, nativity scenes, organic coffee and tea, chocolate, jewelry and gifts ready for giving.

Fair trade is not charity or a brand, it is a story, said Mary Ann June, one of the event organizers. The idea of Fair Trade began over 60 years ago as a way to address extreme poverty around the globe.

Fair trade can be compared to a farmers market where the growers and producers from around the world are united at a market place, she said. The fair trade story is about using environmentally sound farming practices, eliminating poverty in the poorest areas of the world, and providing safe working conditions for the workers.

Sponsors are the First Congregational United Church of Christ and the First Presbyterian Churches of Great Bend together with SERRV International (www.serrv.org).

Rather than a fundraiser for the local churches, this sale represents a mission to help people support themselves and their communities.

For more information, call June at 620-792-6104.