Giving Back: Supporting NYC Non-profits Through Like A Local Tours’ Giving Tuesday Campaign
As the holiday season approaches, many of us begin thinking about how we can give back to the community. This year at Like A Local Tours we are stepping up our holiday cheer efforts by directly supporting four incredible local charities and social impact organizations, and need your help to make the impact go farther!
For every full-price gift card of any amount purchased on Giving Tuesday, Like A Local Tours will donate 40% of the sales to four nonprofits making a real difference in New York City.
At Like A Local Tours, we believe that tourism should do more than just entertain; it should enrich communities and make a positive impact. This commitment to social responsibility aligns with our mission to celebrate the stories, people, and businesses that make NYC’s neighborhoods unique. Here’s a deeper look at the four organizations you’ll be supporting with your Giving Tuesday gift card purchase:
1. North Brooklyn Angels
2. The Lower East Side Ecology Center
3. Sustainable Fashion Community Center
4. Essex Market
1. North Brooklyn Angels: Feeding Hope in Brooklyn
North Brooklyn Angels is dedicated to alleviating food insecurity in the neighborhoods of Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Bushwick. This volunteer-led organization goes beyond simply providing meals; they create a strong sense of community and solidarity by offering nutritious, fresh food to families, seniors, and individuals in need. Their work directly addresses hunger in one of New York City’s most rapidly gentrifying areas, ensuring that long-time residents and vulnerable populations don’t get left behind.
How they’ve made a difference: In addition to their meal distribution programs, North Brooklyn Angels has created an innovative “mobile pantry” that brings groceries directly to communities. This has enabled them to provide essential services to people who are homebound or unable to reach traditional food pantries. Their hot meal program feeds hundreds every week, and they focus on building relationships with the individuals and families they serve, ensuring that their work is not just about food, but also about providing dignity and support in times of need.
By purchasing a gift card from Like A Local Tours on Giving Tuesday, you’ll be directly contributing to North Brooklyn Angels’ mission of combating hunger and strengthening Brooklyn’s tight-knit communities.
∗Giving tip!∗ Use your gift card to book our Williamsburg Bites food tour and 40% of the proceeds from our visit to Angel’s Cafe will also go to North Brooklyn Angels!
2. The Lower East Side Ecology Center: A Greener Future for NYC
The Lower East Side Ecology Center (LESEC) works tirelessly to promote environmental sustainability across New York City. They focus on waste diversion, recycling education, and urban agriculture, offering programs that engage and educate local residents about how to make their communities cleaner and more sustainable.
From running NYC’s largest e-waste recycling program to transforming vacant lots into urban gardens, the LESEC is a leader in environmental activism. By supporting the Ecology Center, Like A Local Tours is also helping to create a greener, more sustainable future for New York City—and you can join us in this important work with your Giving Tuesday gift card purchase.
∗Giving tip!∗ Want to see the LES Ecology Center in action? Join our Flatiron Food & Architecture Tour where we stop by the LES Ecology Center’s booth at the historic Greenmarket in Union Square! Buy a gift card for yourself & then book your tour to maximize the benefit!
3. Sustainable Fashion Community Center: Fashion with Purpose
The Sustainable Fashion Community Center is committed to transforming the fashion industry into a more eco-conscious and ethical space. Through educational workshops, community events, and resources, this center empowers individuals to embrace sustainable fashion choices—whether that’s through upcycling old garments, supporting ethical brands, or learning about the environmental impact of the fashion industry.
The SFCC brings the mission of the The NYC Fair Trade Coalition to life, providing a vital space to the circular fashion movement. They are currently moving through a transition as they have lost the brick & mortar space that houses their innovation, makers, & of course- shopping! Your purchase today will directly help them find a new space and keep their team on staff!
“We need your help to ensure The Sustainable Fashion Community Center continues into the next chapter. If everyone donated $1, we could bring back our monthly Sustainable Fashion Community Meetings. With a $2.50 donation from each of you, we could enhance our impact reporting to better showcase the positive results of your recycling efforts. A $5 donation from everyone would allow our Community Managers, and our Fellows to keep working on grants and hosting events. And if everyone gave $10, we’d have the resources to secure a permanent home for our community.” – Andrea Reyes, Executive Director NYC Fair Trade Coalition
With a growing movement toward eco-friendly fashion, the Sustainable Fashion Community Center is paving the way for a future where style doesn’t come at the expense of the planet.
When you purchase a gift card on Giving Tuesday, you’re supporting this vital work and helping to promote positive change in the fashion world.
4. Essex Market: Preserving NYC’s Culinary Heritage and Strengthening Community Ties
Essex Market has long been a cornerstone of the Lower East Side’s culinary landscape, offering an array of fresh produce, artisanal goods, and a unique selection of international foods. Established over 75 years ago, the market has been much more than just a place to shop—it’s a vital part of the community, supporting local food vendors, strengthening neighborhood ties, and celebrating the cultural diversity that defines the area.
Essex Market has always been dedicated to providing access to fresh, affordable food for the local community. Over the years, it has also expanded its role as a community hub through various programs and initiatives that foster both economic growth and social connection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Essex Market stepped up to ensure food security for vulnerable residents, launching initiatives such as a weekly senior hour for at-risk individuals and partnering with local food banks to donate surplus food. Beyond their emergency programs, Essex Market has supported numerous community initiatives that help to bring people together. One notable program is their “Market Tours for Schools,” which invites local students to explore the market and learn about food production, nutrition, and sustainability. Through these educational experiences, young people gain a deeper understanding of where their food comes from and the importance of supporting local, small-scale food producers.
Additionally, Essex Market is deeply committed to empowering local food entrepreneurs by providing them with an affordable space to sell their products. This support has allowed many small businesses, from butchers to bakers, to flourish and contribute to the market’s diverse offerings. Through events like cooking classes, pop-up markets, and cultural food festivals, Essex Market encourages both locals and visitors to engage with the culinary traditions of New York’s diverse communities.Essex Market is also focused on sustainability, with programs that promote zero-waste practices, such as a composting initiative where customers can drop off food scraps for composting, and the “Eco-Essex” program, which works to reduce the market’s environmental footprint through sustainable sourcing and waste reduction.
By purchasing a gift card on Giving Tuesday, you’ll help support Essex Market’s ongoing efforts to provide a platform for local vendors, promote food education, and strengthen the Lower East Side community. With your contribution, you are helping to ensure that this historic market continues to thrive, preserve New York’s culinary heritage, and provide essential resources to the community for generations to come.
A Social Impact Tourism Company at Heart
At Like A Local Tours, we believe in the power of tourism to make a meaningful impact. Our tours are designed to take travelers beyond the typical tourist spots, offering immersive experiences that connect visitors with the local people, stories, and businesses that make NYC’s neighborhoods so special. Whether it’s through a food tour in Williamsburg, a cultural journey through the Lower East Side, or a walk through the vibrant neighborhoods of Manhattan, we pride ourselves on curating authentic experiences that highlight the beauty of our city’s diversity.
As part of our commitment to social responsibility, we strive to partner with organizations that align with our values of sustainability, community engagement, and local empowerment. This Giving Tuesday campaign is just one of the many ways we’re working to give back to the neighborhoods we love.
Join Us in Giving Back
This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to join Like A Local Tours in supporting these incredible local charities. Not only will you be giving the gift of an unforgettable experience to a loved one, but you’ll also be making a meaningful contribution to the organizations that are working hard every day to make New York City a better place for all.
Here’s how you can help:
– Buy a full-price gift card on Giving Tuesday (December 3rd)
– 40% of all gift card sales will go to North Brooklyn Angels, The Lower East Side Ecology Center, Sustainable Fashion Community Center, and Essex Market
Find more information on our gift cards here.
∗Giving tip!∗ Bookmark the above page & set a reminder to purchase your gift card on December 3rd, Giving Tuesday!
Your support matters, and with your purchase, we can help create positive change in our city’s neighborhoods.
Together, we can make New York City a better place—for locals, tourists, and future generations to come. Thank you for being a part of this exciting campaign!