St. Charles church to host free trade market Nov. 5

The United Methodist Women of Baker Memorial Church will host a second annual "Purchase with a Purpose Market" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the church, 307 Cedar Ave. in St. Charles. The public is invited. Admission is free.

Gina Armstrong, UMW president, said "This is an excellent opportunity to shop for one-of-a-kind unique gifts."

"The market will showcase fair trade vendors and other vendors who help people in need, such as rescued traffickers and special need adults," Armstrong said. "There is a purpose behind every vendor selling at the market. The fair trade movement focuses on the fair and ethical selling of products that are handcrafted or grown in developing countries."

"Fair trade organizations and vendors represent these farmers and artisans with fair and equitable trading. Fair trade promotes sustainability by offering better trading prices, conditions and transparency, bettering the lives of the farmer or artisan," Armstrong said. "United Methodist Women have been longtime supporters of fair trade."

This is not a fundraiser for Baker Memorial UMW, but a community outreach to educate the community on fair trade and its practices.

Call (630) 254-1632 for more information.