Smart Shopping
About Smart Shopping
Smart Shopping events take place in local community based fairs. Attendees will browse handmade giftable items from Inform Your Community volunteers. As a result of being handmade, each item is unique. While you check out our products, our facilitators will let you know about the issue that inspired the items based on Inform Your Community's curriculum on that issue. Donors receive their choice of item with every $5 donation. Additionally, when possible we host a crafting station at our table in the same theme. This is Inform Your Community's only in person event! Our online version of our Smart Shopping program is our E-Commerce website. All our events are geared towards entertainment, education, and analysis with a growth mindset. The social issues are based on topics such as avoiding invisible disability, productive discourse, and LGBTQ+ pride. Similar to our other programs, Smart Shopping combines an entertaining activity with important social issues in the events.
Click here to suggest any social issue topics that you’d be interested to see!
What to expect at Smart Shopping events?
Think Bookclub, but with Movies!
-
At a Smart Shopping event, you will be able to browse our hand-made items. With a $5 donation you are able to choose your preferred issue-related product. For example, in our Invisible Disability Smart Shopping event we had emoji pillows to represent children with Autism Spectrum Disorder who sometimes are not able to interpret facial expressions.
-
You will be able to interact with other attendees in person as folks mingle at the street fair. Each craft kit comes packaged with our infographic on that issue.
-
All of our Smart Shopping events are virtual and FREE to attend!
-
To sign up for our upcoming events, you can click here or go to Eventbrite.
-
IYC invites speakers to various events. Click here to see testimonials from our special guests.
Tammy Faye Bakker
American Evangelist
"I always say shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist."
Daniel Goleman
American Author
"Making choices that improve things for all of us on the planet is an act of compassion, a simple act we can do any time we go shopping."
Rachel Bloom
American Actress
“I love shopping. There is a little bit of magic found in buying something new. It is instant gratification, a quick fix.”
Discussion Points from Program Attendees
[Remind Stacey to find the quote from Terry and the quote from Alberto or Claude Taylor on LinkedIn]
Much-to-Discuss FAQ
What is Much-to-Discuss?
Popcorn and Chat program hosts movie nights and post-movie discussions related to specific social issues.
Who can attend the Much-to-Discuss events?
All our events are open to everyone of all ages.
Are the movies kids-friendly?
Yes! All our movies are kid-friendly.
How do I sign up for Much-to-Discuss event?
You can sign up on our site or on Eventbrite.
When and where are the Much-to-Discuss events located?
All events are virtual. Our events are on Thursdays from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm EST.
What do I need to do to attend the event?
All you need is to sign up on Eventbrite or our site and you will receive instructions and links for the event!
How much do the events cost?
All Inform Your Community events including Popcorn & Chat events are free to attend.
Are Much-to-Discuss events virtual or in-person?
All popcorn & Chat events are virtual.
What do Much-to-Discuss events entail?
Attendees get to watch a live-streamed movie virtually based on a specific social issue. The movie and the issue are discussed on Zoom after.
Where does the post-movie discussion take place?
The discussion takes place on Zoom. The link to Zoom is shared in the live-stream chat box.
Can I suggest event topics and social issues?
Yes! We are open to suggestions. Click here to fill out our interest survey.
How can I learn more about other event topics and social issues?
Visit our Get Informed page to learn about other social issues we have discussed at our events.
How do I support Inform Your Community?
Your support is invaluable to us! Click here to learn more about how to support us and donate.
How do I find out more about Inform Your Community?
For additional FAQ questions about Inform Your Community click here.
Special Guests
Jenny Rustemeyer
Jenny Rustemeyer is the producer and a writer for the documentary film "Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story."
"Something that we filmed that we didn’t put in the film was cauliflower - a field of cauliflower, huge heads of cauliflower, like so big that he said they’re actually too big for the marker and they were plowed."