Wooster Alternative Gift Market returns Dec. 14 with global projects, fair-tradegoods

Event at First Presbyterian will offer $5 charitable shares, fair-trade shopping and lunch to support local shelter Homeward Bound.

Published December 4, 2025 - 1:00 p.m.

The Wooster Alternative Gift Market offers community members a chance to support global and local humanitarian projects through $5 shares, fair-trade purchases and a donation-based lunch.

At the Wooster Alternative Gift Market, one can purchase $5 shares in humanitarian projects, buy fair-trade products and get lunch. This annual market will be held Dec. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 621 College Ave., Wooster.

This year’s market will feature 22 projects that provide a helping hand to people throughout the world. One can choose to provide school supplies for children in Kenya, support micro-farms for women in Egypt, fund environmental protection in multiple countries and more. One also can learn about and donate to local projects such as CAMO, Open Arms and Habitat for Humanity.

Fair-trade products also will be available for purchase including items from World Crafts in Kidron, olive oil and soup, coffee and chocolate, Ghanaian purses and more. Lunch with soups, hot dogs and sweets will be available by donation with proceeds benefiting Homeward Bound, a day center/severe weather shelter in Wayne County.

The market is hosted by four area churches: First Presbyterian, Trinity United Church of Christ, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Wayne County and Wooster Mennonite.