We STILL Ain’t Buying It - Continuing the boycott against Amazon, Home Depot, and Target
A couple of weeks ago we promoted members taking part in a national Black Friday through Cyber Monday boycott targeting three specific retailers: Amazon, Home Depot and Target. It has just been announced that a second wave of the We Ain’t Buying It boycott is scheduled for December 13th through December 23rd.
If you participated in last week’s Transanta mutual aid program using Amazon wishlists, that’s fine! Last week we published a blog article promoting the Transanta Program. The program is a Secret Santa resource for trans youth in which wish lists are created and anonymous gifts are purchased through Amazon. At the time that we posted that article the Thanksgiving boycotts had already passed. As the upcoming action is set to begin on December 13th we are going to go into detail regarding local business alternatives where you can shop during the holidays. You may discover you prefer those and continue to use them in the future. In addition to the brick and mortar stores discussed below we have also included organizations where you can donate money online.
Grocery alternatives:
Many people are not aware that Whole Foods Markets are owned by Amazon and therefore you should avoid shopping there during the boycott. Fortunately, we live in the Bay Area where we are fortunate enough to have a great variety of local small businesses where you can satisfy your empty belly.
Bi-Rite Market has three locations, including a dedicated creamery across the street from the original location on 18th St. They have a great deli, wines and lots of homemade sweets. It has a neighborhood market feel with densely organized shelves and is always packed with customers. But don’t worry, the line moves fast!
Gus’s Community Market has five locations in San Francisco, which are listed on their web page. They have a great selection of wines and produce, as well as a deli and most items you’d find in a large, corporate grocery store.
Rainbow Grocery Cooperative is located at 1745 Folsom St. It is a worker-owned cooperative and is strictly vegetarian. They also have pretty much everything you need, except meat of course! They offer a large selection of organic and locally sourced products.
Mollie Stone’s Market has several stores throughout the bay area. It is privately owned and unionized. They recently donated $25K to the SF-Marin Food Bank to help alleviate food insecurity. They sell all the same products you find in large, corporate grocery stores.
In San Francisco we are also lucky to have a large selection of really awesome restaurants. When dining out or getting take out you should patronize neighborhood restaurants and avoid corporate fast food chains. The food will taste better and be better for you!
Hardware Store alternatives:
We recommend three local hardware stores where you can find everything you need for construction projects and home improvements.
Cliff’s Variety and Hardware in the Castro has an extensive hardware selection. In addition, you can also buy toys and gifts in the store. Adjacent to the hardware store Cliff’s Variety has a separate specialty store where you can buy exotic and unique gifts. Both of these stores are amazing places to browse but don’t be surprised if you get stuck in them for hours!
Discount Builders Supply and Hardware is located in the Mission District and is a fully stocked hardware store with a great lumber department. When you visit you will most likely see a parking lot packed with professional contractors who rely on the store daily for everything they need on the job.
Cole Hardware is a local, family-owned hardware store with five locations in the bay area. They are also a Green Business.
Other alternatives for holiday giving:
If you missed the window for taking part in the Transanta program described in last week’s article you can donate toys to your local Toys for Tots program, as well as making toy donations to a variety of churches, hospitals, stores and charitable organizations.
Speaking of toy donations, we want to give a shout out for Indivisible SF’s holiday party on Saturday, December 13th at 3pm, which will include a toy drive sponsored by CANA (Cultura y Arte Navita de las Americas). The holiday festivities will take place at the same location as our monthly meetings at 683 Florida St. near 19th St. in San Francisco. The party will have lots of fun activities so you should definitely plan on coming!
If you’ve run out of time and haven’t finished with all your holiday shopping there are several local groups who accept donations online without you even having to leave your house! To donate in support of trans and other LGBTQ causes please consider contributing to the following:
San Francisco Community Health Center Your giving fuels grassroots organizing and programs and services that make survival possible for the LGBTQ+ community. The Center “celebrates and attends to the health and wellness of the communities that define San Francisco – immigrant and communities of color, queer, trans, unhoused people, and all of us who are most impacted by oppression – through comprehensive medical, dental, and mental health services.”
Trans Lifeline is primarily funded by individual donors. Funds are “put to good use to help us deliver our lifesaving services to those who need them most.”
The San Francisco Transgender Film Festival is a largely volunteer-based organization. “Your donation will directly support the quality, groundbreaking art SFTFF is celebrated for.”