Gathering Place Trading Gives Back 1% of All Sales
Explore the many, many projects that we supported and continue to support as a direct result of your purchases of our products.
Children’s Forest Trust Cortes Island
Right on here onCortes Island, we have long supported the Cortes Children’s Forest Trust. This land, in the wild north of the island, is lovingly referred to as the “Children’s Forest”. Our own kids spent much of their growing up years accessing these forest lands and participating in biological inventories of red listed and endangered species. Once purchased from Island Timberlands, these lands will be held in trust for all the children of Cortes Island, in perpetuity, providing the opportunity to practise stewardship and appreciation for the forests and watersheds.
Their Future Today – Sri Lanka
Their Future Today in Sri Lanka works to end the institutionalization and suffering of vulnerable children disadvantaged through poverty. There are many children in this country who are placed in orphanages while one parent is still living. This organization tries to return children to families wherever it is safe and possible. We source black and white pepper, clove, and nutmeg from Sri Lanka.
Raven Legal Defence Fund
Here in BC, we support the work of First Nations in their struggle against the systems of oppression that have dispossessed Indigenous people of their lands and denied their rights to self-determination. Our donation from the sale of our Canadian-grown herb line goes direct to front-line activists via Raven Trust. This charity raises legal defence funds for Indigenous People’s in Canada to defend their rights and the integrity of lands and cultures.
Madagascar School Project
Our donations to the Madagascar School Project, in the central highlands of Madagascar, have helped to build schools, hire staff, and provide health care and basic improvements in the lives of the Malagasy people. Currently, over 700 students are being fed, educated, and provided with medical and vision care. Our vanilla beans and vanilla powder come from Madagascar.
Cortes Island Projects
The Cortes Island Women’s Centre supports women-identifying and non-binary women in a safe, non-judgmental environment. This Centre, completely run by volunteers, educates the community and provides resources that empower women and children to nurture their emotional well-being, physical safety and financial security.
Cortes Holiday Smiles
Helping make the holiday season merry and bright for Cortes kids from low-income families!
Cortes Island Food Bank, Quadra Island Food Bank, Campbell River Food Bank
Helping families who need nutritional support each month.
*One percent of our Canadian herb sales are shared with these projects. This includes our bay and rosemary, both of which are grown on Cortes Island!
BC Whales
This non-profit whale-research organization is dedicated to the research and protection of cetaceans (all whales, dolphins, and porpoise) along the northern coast of British Columbia. The BC Whales team collects data on the populations, movements, food source, and essential habitat use of orca, humpback, and fin whales. One percent of our Canadian herb sales are shared with this organization.
Vanashree School for Orphans and Marginalized Children Sagar
We have long supported Vanashree School for Orphans and Marginalized Children in Karnataka State, India. On our visits to this community, we have always been impressed with the school’s progressive philosophy, developing the whole child through arts, music, and yoga, as well as traditional education. Our cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, stevia, and chili flakes are all grown in southern India in Karnataka State.
SurfRiders
Surfriders is a grassroots, non-profit, coastal protection organization. Volunteers participate in beach cleanups and educational programs around the issues of plastic pollution, clean water, ocean protection, and coastal preservation. We donate products for beach cleanup events, as well as much needed financial donations to continue the important work of this organization.
The Raincoast Research Society
Raincoast Research is a science-based society committed to researching the devastating impacts of salmon farming on British Columbia’s wild salmon stocks. Partnering with scientists around the world, Raincoast Research has been around since 1984, produced some of the first studies on salmon farm impacts in BC, and continues to break new ground in this field. One percent of our Canadian herb sales are shared with this established and respected organization.
Help Lesotho
Help Lesotho is a non-profit organization registered in both Canada and Lesotho that delivers grassroots mental health support and training programs in rural communities in southern Africa. Their holistic and innovative programs empower children and youth to heal, learn new skills, and be advocates for social justice and gender equity. Lesotho is a land-locked country within South Africa with the highest AIDS rate in the world. When our children were eight, five, and two-years-old, we visited Lesotho and assisted the Help Lesotho organization on the ground. It was a life-changing and incredibly meaningful experience. Our Rooibos, Honeybush, and Sea Salt all come from South Africa.
Child Haven International
Child Haven is a registered charitable organization inspired by the philosophy of Mahatma Ghandi. Since 1985, this organization has offered housing, food, and support to children who are disabled, parentless, or destitute. Child Haven has homes in India, Nepal, Tibet, and Bangladesh and is also involved in environmentally friendly projects, literacy programs, and soya milk production. One percent of our Northern India spice sales go to this well-established organization. Our cumin, coriander, fennel, garlic, and onion all come from the northern states of India.
Aldea Maya
Aldea Maya is a non-profit grassroots project in the Guatemalan highlands created to help indigenous Mayans be self-sufficient. They have initiated a wide range of projects that focus on education, food sustainability, and nutrition. Through our sponsorships over the years, families in the Chuk-Muk region have received fuel efficient stoves, water filtration units, nutritious food, and education sponsorships for village children. We source our cardamom and allspice from Central America.