Crafting Social Impact: The Meaningful Market  

The Meaningful Market is a unique holiday market that features local businesses hosted by Pillar Nonprofit Network at Innovation Works. The event, which takes place in November every year, goes beyond the traditional idea of a Christmas market by providing a forum for networking and education. Meaningful Market is more than just a marketplace; it’s a place for members of the community to come together and support local businesses. This special event celebrates and creates an atmosphere that supports social entrepreneurship by facilitating conversations about the social impact of these businesses. 

In 2023, a total of 17 vendors participated in the Meaningful Market, offering a wide range of products. Products, ranged from artisanal snacks to handcrafted gifts, reflected the values of the attendees by telling a tale of positive social impact. Visitors have the opportunity to discover the stories behind the products, learn about the impactful work of the vendors, and connect with like-minded individuals who share their values. 

Vendors like the Baker’s Project keep with old traditions, baking in small batches from scratch while sourcing their ingredients sustainably and providing a story of their own.  Atlohsa Gifts is an online seller of unique goods, including home décor and accessories for men and women, as well as traditional medicines, baby and child products, made by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit businesses and artists in London. All proceeds from sales goes to Atlohsa Family Healing Services which is a non-profit charitable organization situated in southwest Ontario. The organization is dedicated to improving communities and programs and services run by Indigenous people to promote holistic health and wellness.

By giving local social entrepreneurs a platform and supporting equitable economic practices, the Meaningful Market contributes to SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth). The market supports inclusive, long-term, and sustainable economic growth in the community through these initiatives.

For a full list of vendors at the Meaningful Market, see below: 

  1. Youth Opportunities Unlimited
  2. The Baker’s Project
  3. Skilled Accents 
  4. Click Journals
  5. See The Worth
  6. Sidetrack: A King St Café
  7. The Cultural Gully 
  8. Atlohsa Gifts
  9. Deep-iction Candles 
  10. Musey
  11. Growing Chefs! Ontario
  12. Granny P’s
  13. Hutton House
  14. City art centre
  15. SINGLA Intimates
  16. Sustenance Trading Co. 
  17. MadMatters

For more information, please visit Pillar Nonprofit Network’s website!