Tribecan Liz Reitman’s graphic design firm Reitdesign always sends out the most amazing end-of-year presents to clients (somehow I qualified as one, even though she did all the Friends of Washington Market Park posters and logos for free) – custom designed and very clever packages that revolved around a high concept theme. This year we all got a can of soup labeled with graphics on hunger in the city this year. I thought it was brilliant. With the budget they had for their holiday swag, her company instead gave a donation to the Food Bank for New York City (they track food insecurity in the city, and run efficient programs that I witnessed in the Bronx over the years), City Harvest and The Bowery Mission.

Adding to that, here is the list of local non-profits that was part of the 2020 Shopping Guide, with some updates, in case you are busy today writing those last-minute checks.

FOR THE KID LOVER
••• Manhattan Youth: Building community downtown
••• Church Street School for Music & Art: Dedicated to personal discovery
••• CSSMA gingerbread decorating kits are also a fundraiser!

TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
••• Fountain House: Shop for sustainable home goods in Soho
••• Bowery Mission: Rebuilding hope for the homeless

FOR THE PARK LOVER
Pick your favorite, or pick them all!
••• Hudson River Park Friends
••• Friends of Duane Park
••• Friends of Washington Market Park
••• Bogardus Plaza

FOR THE RESTAURANT LOVER
••• Taste of Tribeca: Support local schools and restaurants
••• Many of our local restaurants have merch for sale to support their businesses and staff, including Bubby’s, Puffy’s, Khe-Yo and Grand Banks and Crown Shy.

FOR THE THEATER LOVER
••• Soho Rep: Big plays in small spaces.
••• The Flea Theater: Raising joyful hell.

FOR THE HISTORY BUFF
••• South Street Seaport Museum. Where New York begins.
••• Lilac Preservation Project. America’s only steam-powered lighthouse tender.

REMEMBERING THE NEIGHBORHOOD’S DARKEST MOMENT
••• 9/11 Memorial & Museum: A place for reflection

FOR THE DANCE LOVER
••• Battery Dance: Spread the joy of dance

FOR THE ANIMAL LOVER
••• Best Friends Animal Society: Save them all.