Alternative Markets Offer Help for Hungry, Homeless

Holiday shoppers looking to buy something different and socially worthwhile might consider one of several alternative Christmas markets planned at San Gabriel Valley churches this holiday season.

Instead of buying presents that friends and family might not need or even want, shoppers can purchase a chicken or goat, eyeglasses or immunization shots to be given to the hungry and homeless around the world. Shoppers receive cards listing their gifts and ready to mail as presents to those on their lists.

All of the gifts will be sent to countries in the Third World or to poverty areas in the United States by four relief agencies.

Similar sales were held at 45 markets last year, raising a total of $292,000, according to Harriet C. Prichard, founder and director of Alternative Gift Markets Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to the continuance of the markets.

Pasadena Presbyterian Church--585 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, (818) 793-2191, Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

First Congregational Church--464 E. Walnut St., Pasadena, (818) 795-0696, Sunday from 9 to 10 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

First United Methodist Church--201 N. San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel, (818) 286-3111, Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

St. James Presbyterian Church--200 W. Las Tunas Drive, San Gabriel, (818) 287-0561, Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Neighborhood Church--301 N. Orange Grove Ave., Pasadena, (818) 449-3470, Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Community Presbyterian Church--540 E. Vine St., West Covina, (818) 918-1661, Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Claremont United Church of Christ--233 W. Harrison Ave., Claremont, (818) 289-4258, Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. to noon.

First Congregational Church--943 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena, (818) 798-1185, Nov. 30 from 8 a.m. to noon.

San Marino Community Presbyterian Church--1750 Virginia Road, San Marino, (818) 282-4181, Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church--2775 N. Lincoln Ave., Altadena, (818) 794-1495, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Calvary Presbyterian Church--1050 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena, (818) 799-7148, Dec. 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Westminster Presbyterian Church--1757 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena, (818) 794-7141, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Trinity Presbyterian Church--3740 Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena, (818) 351-8823, Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

First United Methodist Church--333 S. Garfield Ave., Monterey Park, (818) 573-1240, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.