Best Non-Profits

Need an extra glass eye for those long sea-faring trips? Some striped socks to keep your pirate-y legs warm? Then stop by the Pirate Supply Shop for all of your pirating needs!

Proceeds benefit the best non-profit – EVER: 826 Valencia is a place where kids 6 – 18 can go to get tutored in writing, and learn to express themselves through it. Author Dave Eggers was the primary force behind 826 Valencia, and similar tutoring spaces/accompanying shops (check out Los Angeles’ Time Travel Mart: “Wherever You Are, We’re Already Then” and Brooklyn’s Superhero Supply Shop) have sprung up across the US and the world.

So duck in when you’re cruising around in the Mission, and buy some mapping supplies or a compass. Pick up a copy of The Believer while you’re there – it’s the ‘zine put out by Dave Eggers’ publishing house, McSweeney’s – you won’t be disappointed!

Mmmm-mmm! Gimme pie!

Why get your pie from Mission Pie? Well, it’s good, first off. Enjoy a Pear/Ginger Pie, an Apple/Cranberry Pie, or maybe a Sweet Potato.

Secondly, Mission Pie is an urban outcropping of the non-profit Pie Ranch. At Pie Ranch, underprivileged youth can come get hands-on education about the full cycle of food production.

Mission Pie also strives to employ many of these same under-served teens, teaching them life skills and giving them work experience.

All around, Mission Pie is a tasty treat!

A similar idea to The Art of Yoga project, Girls on the Run partners high-risk teenage girls with mentors.

Through running and training, girls are taught life skills and self-confidence.

You can volunteer to lead runs, set up course for lollipop runs, or just show up at the yearly ball.

Getting in shape and helping at-risk youth = awesome.

Books for the Barrios is a great organization and easy to donate to.

Got books? Then you can help! Books for the Barrios organizes, ships, and distributes books and other educational material to places like the Philippines, Mexico, Honduras, and Bhutan.

They have also built schools and been involved in training teachers.

A quote from their website says that, “Only the educated are free.”

So bring those books over to the East Bay and help free the world’s youth.

One of the best pieces of art I own (OK, I don’t own that many, but still) comes from Creativity Explored.

Creativity Explored is a “nonprofit visual arts center where artists with developmental disabilities create, exhibit, and sell art.”

There are three ways of getting involved 1. Buy some art 2. Volunteerat the center 3. Teach/Become a resident artist.

Picking out a piece is an exhilarating social event at one of the many open house events the center has.

Have fun and happy art hunting!