Alternative Gifts Fair

The Congregational/Community Artisans group (CCA) is filled with one-of-a-kind items made and donated by local artists. The booth will also offer a silent auction in addition to items for purchase. This year’s recipient will be Friends of Shiloh Gardens.

Since its inception in 2015, the Artists Enclave of Denton County has provided artists and their supporters with previously unavailable opportunities to “meet, exchange ideas, collaborate and participate in the growing creative world.”
As a gathering of artists and a resource to the community, the AEDC practices and creates products to improve the quality of life in Denton County.

Bridges To Life is a restorative justice nonprofit that connects crime victims with incarcerated individuals through a 14-week program focused on accountability, empathy, and healing. By reducing recidivism and fostering transformation for both victims and offenders, BTL helps create safer communities and lasting change.

An organization offering spiritual, charitable, and educational aid. They support individuals in need, helping them develop life skills for success in faith and a peaceful life. Your support enables them to provide vital assistance to those on their journey to a better future.

Prepares at-risk children for success in school and life. Providing cognitive enrichment, nutritious food, and safe transportation, DCP is licensed by the state of Texas and accredited by the National Accreditation Commission for Early Childhood Programs. With over 50 years of service, they continue to nurture young minds and provide a vision for the future. This year, DCP is the chosen recipient of our Community & Congregational Artisans (CCA) Booth.

Provides food assistance to families and individuals experiencing food insecurity. Amid challenging economic conditions, more families are seeking help. The center fosters a supportive community where survival is a shared responsibility, and social bonds help meet basic needs.

Founded in 1982, the Denton Quilt Guild brings together over 200 quilting enthusiasts to preserve the heritage of quilting and inspire excellence. The guild shares its creations with the community, donating over 600 quilts to children, elders, and veterans in 2022. Quilters of all levels are welcome to join and participate in this vibrant community.

DWF invites, disciples, and empowers college students from UNT, TWU, and NCTC, helping them discern and fulfill their place in the world. An affirming United Methodist Campus Ministry, they provide a welcoming space at 1501 Maple Street, including the Shiloh Food Pantry, which offers free groceries to students without requiring ID or proof of income, ensuring students have access to essential resources.

A ministry of Christ The Servant Lutheran Church, Empty Bowls has been feeding the hungry in Denton since 2000. All proceeds from their annual lunch benefit Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen and the Denton Community Food Center. Additional funds from the Alternative Gifts Fair further support these organizations, helping provide essential meals and resources to those in need.

On Sunday Mornings, our church offers First Meal—a free breakfast to anyone who needs a meal. For those in need, First Meal also provides showers and distributes warm clothing and accessories during our weekly breakfast.

A community-based nonprofit focused on feeding the hungry in Denton County. They grow fresh fruits, vegetables, and eggs, which are donated to local food banks and pantries. Their mission is to provide high-quality food to those in need, supporting other nonprofits in their efforts to combat hunger.

A vibrant community of middle and high school students, their families, and volunteers. Together, they build a strong Christian foundation through education, worship, service, and fellowship. Your support helps students respond to God's call and develop a deep faith for the future, fostering their growth as dedicated followers of Jesus Christ.

The proceeds from Goodies by Jody support FUMC Denton’s Lenten Rebuild project, which offers free home repairs to local families during Lent. Partnering with Hearts for Homes, this initiative provides vital repairs for low-income seniors. Your purchase helps fund these repairs and shines God's love into the lives of our neighbors.

A Christian-based nonprofit dedicated to providing no-cost home repairs for low-income senior homeowners in Denton County. Since 2006, they have improved living conditions for elderly residents, ensuring they can stay in their homes comfortably and safely. Serving 90 senior homeowners, the program offers ongoing support and relies on volunteers and donations to sustain its mission. Learn more about their impactful work.

A nonprofit dedicated to alleviating world hunger through livestock development projects. By providing families with animals and the training to care for them, Heifer International helps create a sustainable source of nourishment and self-sufficiency. Recipients agree to "pass on the gift" by sharing the offspring and training with another family in need, multiplying the impact of each donation.

We partner with underserved communities to make a measurable and sustainable improvement in their health and wellbeing.

The Jerri Savuto Rescue Center supports girls escaping forced marriages and female genital mutilation (FGM) in the Pokot region of western Kenya. Named in honor of Jerri Savuto, a missionary who championed women, children, and youth, the center provides a safe home for these girls, offering them protection and a chance for a brighter future.

Love In Action Native American Ministries offers handmade Navajo jewelry and crafts, with all proceeds supporting their ministry work in western Colorado. Each purchase helps sustain programs that provide scholarships, housing, and community support alongside Native partners.

Marfa Ministry supports ten small churches in Eurasia—nine in Russia and one in Ukraine—on their path to self-sufficiency. By assisting with building repairs, training Sunday school teachers, providing scholarships for aspiring pastors, and developing community ministries like coffee shops and cafes, Marfa Ministry helps these churches expand their outreach and support local communities.

The Mercy Run supports children and teens in Denton County who are grieving the loss of a sibling, offering community, care, and hope through special programs and events. The annual Mercy Run raises vital funds to continue this mission of walking alongside families in grief.

Empowers women in Haiti by teaching them embroidery skills, enabling them to earn an income for their families’ needs, including food, education, and healthcare. The program provides a safe environment for learning and personal growth, while also sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to nurture faith and offer spiritual support.

Our Daily Bread provides essential services including food, shelter, and care for the homeless and at-risk individuals in our community. With a focus on maintaining dignity and offering new opportunities, they help rebuild lives and foster independence. By offering comprehensive support, they aim to strengthen both individuals and the Denton County community as a whole.

A youth-inspired initiative dedicated to providing safe water to communities around the world. By involving young people in this mission, the project not only addresses global water needs but also fosters their growth in understanding, compassion, and empathy, expanding their awareness of global issues.

Offers employment and job training to parents in Haiti, helping prevent the separation of families due to poverty. By supporting this initiative, you help reduce the number of children surrendered to orphanages and empower parents to create sustainable futures.

Project Linus provides handmade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or in extreme need, offering love, warmth, and comfort. This mission is supported by volunteers in Dallas and Denton Counties who also aim to provide rewarding service opportunities for individuals and groups in the community. Their hope is that these blankets help children feel safe and secure during difficult times.

Aims to transform communities through purposeful relationships involving children, college-age young adults, and churches. Since 1998, their program has addressed key challenges by meeting children’s academic, physical, social-emotional, and spiritual needs, offering college students opportunities to explore ministry and develop leadership skills, and helping churches connect with their communities. Their mission focuses on growing relationships, emerging leaders, and community change.

A Methodist organization that has served the Red Bird Valley in southeastern Kentucky for over 100 years. It provides a range of services including PreK-12 education, community services, health and dental clinics, and economic opportunities, supporting residents from prenatal to senior years. Addressing the critical needs of this isolated and impoverished area, Red Bird Mission focuses on education, health, housing improvement, outreach, and economic opportunity to build healthy, sustainable communities.

SS to provide support for individuals with memory loss/dementia and their care partners.

DFDC assists with training and guidance to better serve the needs of those who live with dementia and their care partner

Supports various foundations through sales and fundraisers of custom items. Their mission is to raise awareness and educate the community about each foundation's work. Current designated foundations include Canine Companions (service dogs), Girl Inc. (STEM programs for girls K-12), UNICEF (supporting children in Ukraine), and Samaritan’s Purse (providing fruit seeds in developing countries).

The Art Room is a nonprofit art studio for people with mental health issues. The Art Room provides a safe, supportive studio environment for adults with mental health issues to explore artistic expression and the development of artistic skills. Our visitors will be supported in the discovery that the creative process has therapeutic value in reducing stress, in promoting self-discovery, and in providing a positive means for emotional expression. We hope to demonstrate that engaging in art is therapeutic.

TeamMercy is a 501c3 non-profit foundation providing connections to resources for families facing the death of a child. Team Mercy assists grieving families, specifically the siblings, through one of life’s most difficult tragedies, by providing funding for an existing activity for those siblings through Mercy’s Gift: a grant providing funding for an existing extra-curricular, academic, or mental health related.

One of the most diverse schools in Denton, Rivera serves 600 children from pre-K through grade 5. All students receive free or reduced-price lunch, and 40% are English language learners. FUMC Denton supports Rivera through Rocking Readers, mentoring, and tutoring. This partnership also aids in special events, field trips, and provides essential supplies such as school and health supplies, coats, and clothing. Rivera families and staff are engaged through community events and special recognitions.

Trinity United Methodist Church is raising funds to support its members, others in need, and emergency situations. This is a church that values building lasting relationships, growing your love of God, and be joyfully challenged in faith. Diverse in backgrounds but united in a passion for following Jesus, Trinity UMC worships, learns, and serves together, celebrating the unique ways God uses each member for the Kingdom of God.

Empowers women of all faiths, regardless of church membership, by putting faith, hope, and love into action. As a fearless and united sisterhood driven by God’s love, they focus on women, children, and youth to advocate for justice and transform communities. Through Christian spiritual formation, leadership development, creative fellowship, and education, they inspire and impact communities both locally and globally.