Donating to a Cause: the Vancouver Black Library
Melliza’s Story
Reading has always been something I loved and in middle school, the library close to my house was my safe space. But what it meant for me wasn’t just limited to books.
It was a place where I hung out with my friends, studied, and relied on their resources because my family couldn’t afford a lot of things at the time. It helped me keep going in my rough times in those years and will always be a place I’m grateful to have had.
Stories like mine are what make having places like a library so important and part of why we wanted to dedicate the month of February to fundraising for the Vancouver Black Library!
Summary:
- What is the Vancouver Black Library?
- Why is it important?
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What is Plantish doing for VBL?
- More Ways You Can Help!
What is the Vancouver Black Library?
The Vancouver Black Library, also known as Van Black Library or VBL, is a not-for-profit library in development dedicated to creating a safe space for the Black and BIPOC community. What started as a $6,000 fundraiser in January when we first got in touch with them, quickly grew into a $35,000 goal after an outpour of support for the cause!
Their proposal not only focuses on creating a space to study or sign out books for free but hopes to lead into creating a community space where services like group therapy to community care can be supported.
Why is it important?
Hogan’s Alley was home to many for the Black community as a community space and neighbourhood in Vancouver. After being demolished and expropriated years ago, the community has been missing a space to connect ever since. This is why the Van Black Library is an important fundraiser to help these communities.
Plantish’s home is not only in Toronto but also in Vancouver. After the fundraiser was shared with us by a friend and knowing how much of a difference we can make so immediately, we really wanted to help our community as much as we can.
What is Plantish doing for VBL?
For the month of February, we are donating 5% from orders on our website on top of the $500 we pledge to donate to the library. We’re aiming to reach a $1,000 donation overall with the tips that we may receive at checkout.
Tips/Donations at Checkout
If you haven’t noticed yet or are new to our website, we have revamped the website with a new look and features to make navigating so much easier! This included the tipping feature at checkout that we’re using to donate to causes that we support.
At checkout, you can easily use the percentages based on your order total to purchase or donate by a custom amount. Any amount is welcomed and there is no pressure at all to donate.
February is currently for the Van Black Library, but you’ll see more causes and even introduce a shop by principal section on our website as we go!
More Ways You Can Help!
The Vancouver Black Library started solely as a fundraiser on GoFundMe and has grown so much in less than a month. Since meeting their first goal, their newest funding goal will help support the operations of the library for one year. Please head over to their GoFundMe if you’d like to donate directly to them!
They are also accepting book donations through mail, drop-off, or even through ordering on the registry by Massy. All genres and conditions of books are welcomed! More specific books they’re looking for can be found in their Book Wish List.
Book donations can be sent or dropped off at 1265 Howe St Vancouver BC V6Z 1R3
This is only just the start for our team. Like Van Black Library, we’re working towards setting up more initiatives that we really believe in and support. Make sure you go check out VBL’s Instagram and website for updates as they push the library forward!
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