By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

This year’s Alternative Gifts Market Saturday in Marion raised funds for charitable programs in Marion County, the United States, and nations abroad.

Customers came to Marion Community Center to buy Christmas ornaments, books, soup and macaroni and cheese mixes, bierocks, cards, and similar items to give family and friends, and donate to causes highlighted by the sellers.

The market raised $1,456.00 for local projects and $5,991.41 for Alternative Gifts International projects, for a total of $7,447.41.

Local singers entertained the crowd. Galen Obermeyer played guitar and sang classic songs from the 1970s and 1980s.

Other local performers included Clarita Caudill, Ralph Noriega, Iris Blakketter, and Anita Hancock.

Marion County Resource Center and Food Bank was supported both by a booth where patrons could make a donation and get a meal to cook at home and buy a lunch of bierock with chips and drink sold by CB Bakery with 10% of proceeds given to the food bank.

Other local charities helped included Justo Fair Trade Coffee, Main Street Ministries, PEO Chapter DB, and Relay for Life.

Causes sponsored by Alternative Gifts International this year include programs to fight hunger and poverty, education, gender equality, maternal and child health, environment and conservation, economic stability, peace and justice, and health and well-being.