The Women's Bean Project

Mom does a lot of shopping when she is on vacation, but she hardly buys anything. She loves to stroll through grocery stores and find new and unique products. Last week when she was in San Francisco, she went to the Ferry Building Marketplace. She was there with Dad to have dinner at a Peruvian restaurant next door called La Mar. Coco's mom would love it there and she's probably been to the location in Lima.

The Village Market, located in the Ferry Building Marketplace, was just the type of store loves. She was drawn into it like a magnet to metal and Dad reluctantly followed her in, knowing that she would buy something. Mom loved the store and most everything in it. There was one item in particular that caught Mom's eye and when she brought it home and showed me, I knew I had to tell you guys about it.

This Mediterranean Onion Dip is from the Women's Bean Project. Mom loves onion dip and loves buying products that support people in need.

This is the back of the card that was attached to the package. Mom loves how it is personalized by the woman who assembled it. This is what it says beneath "Thank You":

"for supporting the Women's Bean Project. This product has been assembled by participants in the Women's Bean Project. This non-profit business employs women who have experienced chronic unemployment, poverty, or difficult life situations. When you purchase from the Women's Bean Project, you are helping to break the cycle of poverty and build a stronger community."

The Women's Bean Project, based in Denver, CO, started in 1989 and has been dedicated to helping women ever since. Their mission is to change women's lives by providing stepping stones to self-sufficiency through social enterprise. I love it! Empowering women and providing products that people need. What a great idea! But how do they do it?

The Women's Bean Project helps women find their talents and develop their skills by offereing job readiness training opportunities. Most women who find themselves in these situations simply need encouragement and purpose. The Project helps them to find themselves and better their life at the same time. By securing a future for themselves, the women are not only able to support themselves, but become role models for their children.

Jossy Eyre started the Project after working at a day shelter for homeless women. While the shelter provided a safe place for the women, it didn't provide opportunities for women to get back on their feet. By purchasing $500 worth of beans and enlisting the help of two homeless women at the shelter, the Women's Bean Project was born.

The transitional job of gourmet food manufacturing provides immediate income and skills the women need to get permanent jobs. The most important thing to note about the Project is that they do not hire women to make and sell bean products. They make and sell bean products to hire women. This is what makes this project a win-win. It also makes me smile knowing that these women are leaving bad situations behind and moving on to great futures. By making the women stronger, the community becomes stronger. Isn't that what it's really all about?

Please check out the great products at http://www.womensbeanproject.com/. There are lots of items that would make great gifts and awesome stocking stuffers. Giving a gift from these women gives the women a chance, gives the recipient a great product, and spreads the word about the Project. Gifts that give back are the best gifts ever.