The Town of Norwood is making a difference in the international market, thanks to one of Norwood's own, Toni Eosco, and St. Timothy's Parish. The 2nd Annual Market of Hope (MOH) will be held on Saturday, October 21, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., St. Timothy's Parish, 650 Nichols St., and if attendance and local support is anything like last year, residents in many countries will be very grateful.
The MOH is a unique organization that supports shopping venues around the United States with the intention of supporting talented artisans who would otherwise not have the opportunity to share their creations and make a decent living. The one-of-a-kind handmade items include handbags and accessories, jewelry, sandals, ribbons, candles, baby toys, cosmetics, and much more!
Eosco was inspired to bring MOH to Norwood after a trip to Texas where she attended a MOH marketplace. As a St. Timothy's parishioner, she knew her congregation would graciously assist in her vision, and was confident the Norwood community would enthusiastically embrace the idea.
"I was in a spiritual place when I saw what the market was about," Eosco said. "I knew this was what I should do and I knew our Parish could do this great event."
Eosco was right on the mark. In just a few hours in the Norwood market's inaugural year, they raised approximately $23,000!
"By 2 p.m., the tables were shrinking," Eosco said. "The products just flew off the tables."
While Eosco was the initial stimulus for Norwood's MOH, there were many generous volunteers within St. Timothy's Parish who helped make last year's event a success and assisted in preparing for this year's flourishing day of shopping. Eosco credits 100 volunteers who helped make this happen: from bakers who worked the concession table (and grossed over $1,000 to defray administration costs), to the Parish's youth groups, to the adult parishioners.
The Market of Hope, a non-profit organization, was formed in 2013, and sponsors markets throughout Texas...that is until, they met Norwood's Eosco. As she understands, Norwood was the first location outside of Texas to host an event. The MOH looks to American markets to help the needs of the world's most vulnerable and through the funnel of the marketplaces, empowers them to break out of poverty through their skills and talents and access the purchasing power of developed market.
"Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime; when I heard that phrase, I got it." Eosco said. "We're trying to help countries build an economy, not just give them money. In these poor countries, the people are so talented but they live in countries where their residents are so poor and can't afford what they make. This is a way to sell their wares."
The parishioners of St. Timothy's Parish are relying on their neighbors to support their marketplace again this year by visiting the Market of Hope Marketplace, on October 21. Not only will their patronage result in acquiring unique, handmade items, it will help secure the lives of those who are trying to make an honest living outside of their poverty-stricken country.
"We give them a sense of purpose, pride, and livelihood to thrive," Eosco said. "It's not just to give them money. To give them a life. It's not the end of the story."
Issue Date:
October, 2017
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