A Brief History
How God has Called us to this Ministry of Seeking Justice for Disadvantaged craft producers and Farmers through Fair Trade.
In the mid 1970's members of both Campbellsport UCC Church and First Presbyterian in Fond du Lac were attending family church camp at Moon Beach Camp. There they were introduced to SERRV by the directors Donna and Rev. Paul Kehle. SERRV (Sales Exchange for Refugee Rehabilitation Vocations) then was a handicraft marketing program related to Church World Service. Thus was their introduction to Fair Trade and the dream of helping people become self-supporting.
By the 1990s the dream was starting to bear fruit at First Presbyterian with the sale of SERRV handicraft items through seasonal sales and home parties. In 2004 the group received a grant from the Martha Anderson Taskforce to increase the visibility and sales of SERRV International products in Fond du Lac. The money was used to maintain a small inventory and to take product of craft shops and church sales. Product was also added from the Interfaith Coffee Project of Equal Exchange. Through the efforts of the group, First Presbyterian Church committed to serving only fair trade coffee at the church and allow the sale of coffee one Sunday a month.
In 2005, Carol Smith was a part of a delegation to visit a coffee cooperative in Chiapas, Mexico sponsored by Equal Exchange and Witness for Peace. This cemented in her a resolve to do more to promote fair trade knowledge and sales. Upon her return, she help form a Peace and Social Justice Taskforce within First Presbyterian Church to become a driving force in promoting Fair Trade. That year the Taskforce held an Alternative Gift Fair and conducted occasional sales and talks about fair trade.
The vision could not be contained and connections were made with other Protestant and Catholic churches interested in social justice. More volunteers kept coming forward.
In summer of 2006 the Taskforce was inspired by a sermon by Pastor Barbara Carmichael to step out in faith to realize dreams that God has placed on our hearts. The Taskforce requested and receive permission to use a space for a dedicated shop for November and December. The shop was a success not only within the church, but attracted the interest of the entire community.
Early 2007 it became apparent that this vision was too big for the Taskforce. The vision was incorporated as a non-profit and called Just Fare Ltd. First Presbyterian generously allowed the continued use of space and has given support in many ways including a start-up grant. In recognition of being a nondenominational community effort the board was elected from many different faith backgrounds. Just Fare has received additional start-up grants from the Winnebago Presbytery and various individuals.
The vision continues as we have help establish alternative gift fairs in three local churches. We now have an informational and product display at the new Holy Family Catholic Church. Other churches have been inspired to hold alternative gift events or projects such as buying a heifer or ark of animals through Heifer International to give hope to a needy family.
We are striving to broaden our ecumenical ties, recruit more volunteers, and educate the community about Fair Trade. It may seem as if, what is being done is small, but for every T-shirt purchased, a seamstress can support her children. She purchases the cotton from a local farmer, who can provide for his family. The farmer purchases from others and the chain of hope continues on and on. The chain goes on for generations, as these individuals are able to educate their children. Those children gain the tools and skills to make their hopes and dreams a reality.
