HumanKind Fair Trade store in San Luis Obispo was founded 12 years ago to provide income to artisans and farmers in the developing world by selling their handcrafted goods.
But since 2014 it has been helping local nonprofits too — giving away a total of $25,413.
This year it donated $4,000 to 10 organizations, all registered 501c3 nonprofits based in San Luis Obispo County. It did so through its Give Back Days in early November when it featured a different organization for 10 weekdays, giving them 10 percent of sales on their day. HumanKind is a nonprofit that does not rely on donations.
“We knew from the beginning that once our shop was self-sustaining, we would donate some of our proceeds to other local nonprofits,” said manager LynAnne Wiest. “We are grateful for the support of this community that keeps us going and allows us to make these donations,” she added.
Some of the nonprofits featured this year work locally, such as Shower the People and the League of Women Voters, and some work internationally, such as HANDS in Nepal, which provides education and aid to people in rural Nepal, and Taproot Charities, which works to educate girls in Uganda.
“We love supporting the good work these organizations are doing,” Wiest said. Other nonprofits that received donations are Infinite Music Foundation, Lumina Alliance, SLO Noor Foundation, RACE Matters, AFS SLO County Chapter and ECOSLO.
HumanKind works with a wide range of artisan groups from more than 40 countries — including 12 new suppliers this year alone. The store sells handcrafted men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, jewelry, home décor items such as baskets and bedding, greeting cards and children’s toys and games, as well as food such as chocolate, coffee and tea. It has an array of holiday items ranging from ornaments to nativity scenes and menorahs.
Sales have increased since its move in August to the former Ascendo Coffee site at 974 Monterey St., a space that’s twice as large as its old location. The move has allowed the store to provide a better selection of goods, add more artisans from around the world and grow online sales.
“Folks have enjoyed visiting our new, larger shop as they start their holiday shopping,” Wiest said.