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 an important social issue in each event.
Click here to suggest any social issue topics that you’d be interested to see!
What to expect at Smart Shopping events?
All the fun of shopping for cute things and it's for a good cause!
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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 item. 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.
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You will be able to interact with other attendees in person as folks mingle at the street fair. Each craft kit comes with our infographic on that issue.
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All of our Smart Shopping events are in person and FREE to attend! This is currently Inform Your Community's only in person program.
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To sign up for our upcoming events, you can click here or go to Eventbrite.
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IYC invites co-facilitators to various events. At Smart Shopping events children work with our crafter to make fun topic relevant crafts! 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.”
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Smart Shopping FAQ
What is Smart Shopping?
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 item. Each craft kit comes with our infographic on that issue.
Who can attend the Smart Shopping events?
All our events are open to everyone of all ages. Adults can shop for hand-made items while children can craft at our crafting station! At Smart Shopping events children work with our crafter to make fun topic relevant crafts!
How do I sign up for Smart Shopping event?
You can sign up on our site or on Eventbrite.
When and where are the Smart Shopping events located?
All of our Smart Shopping events are in person and FREE to attend! This is currently Inform Your Community's only in person program. To find out about upcoming Smart Shopping events, check our social media accounts for announcements or you can click here. If there is a fair in your area where you would like us to host a table, please reach out to us an let us know!
What do I need to do to attend a Smart Shopping event?
All you need is to show up! Smart Shopping events do not typically require advance registration. Some fairs will require tickets or registration, however. Information on event costs will be noted with event details.
How much do Smart Shopping events cost?
Smart Shopping events do not typically require any cost to attend. Some fairs will require tickets or registration, however. Information on event costs will be noted with event details. With a $5 donation you are able to choose your preferred issue-related item. Each craft kit comes with our infographic on that issue.
Are Smart Shopping events virtual or in-person?
All of our Smart Shopping events are in person and FREE to attend! This is currently Inform Your Community's only in person program. To find out about upcoming Smart Shopping events, check our social media accounts for announcements or you can click here. If there is a fair in your area where you would like us to host a table, please reach out to us an let us know!
What do Smart Shopping events entail?
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 item. Each craft kit comes with our infographic on that issue.
Who runs Smart Shopping events?
Our Smart Shopping Program Director Michelle Cheng leads our program. Please reach out to her at mcheng@informyourcommunity.org to follow up about our Smart Shopping programming.
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 an FAQ about Inform Your Community click here.
Special Guests & Insights from Sesame Street
Jenny Rustemeyer
Sometimes me think, What is Friend?'
And then me say, 'Friend is someone to share the
last cookie with.'
-Cookie Monster