Non-profits are definitely feeling the crunch in these recessionary times, so anything that makes it easier to keep worthy endeavors chugging along is a good thing. You can shop for holiday gifts and do good at the same time with an eBay auction going on today through Wednesday to benefit Small Planet Fund, which funnels cash to organizations fighting hunger, poverty, and environmental devastation internationally and here at home (such as the Landless Workers Movement in Brazil, or the Family Farm Defenders here in the U.S.).
Most of the excellent items on auction are New York-based: Yes please, we'd like a private cheese tasting organized by those L.E.S. curdmavens at Saxelby Cheesemongers, or a DJ beginner package and training from the DubSpot spin crew, or a six-month, all-you-can-om pass to Yoga Works. But we'll also take the weekend on Martha's Vineyard or the stay at Mount Tremper, N.Y.'s hyperluxe Emerson Resort and Spa. And given all the good they'll do, these gifts are guaranteed to be guilt-free.
