Sometimes doing something for yourself - even shopping--can give others a lift. That's the case at charity shops and non-profit stores such as Ten Thousand Villages which helps provide skilled workmen with money in developing countries.
Their handicrafts(手工艺品) are sold throughout North America in 180 stores, 95 of them operated by Ten Thousand Villages.
"People come into the store because we have a lot of interesting things, but then they're drawn to us by the mission(慈善的行动) ," says organization spokeswoman Juanita Fox.
"It just feels good to be making a difference when you're buying something."
In the Alexandria, Virginia shop, generals display windows draw you in. They are filled with practical, attractive home furnishings in blue and white, all international in mood.
Once inside though, it's clear that this isn't just another import store. On the wall behind the cash register is the following note:
"Ten Thousand Villagers provides necessary, fair income to Third World people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. Your Buying Makes a Difference. "
The store was opened in 1994 as part of a network of shops across the USA run by the Mennonite Church, which is based in Akron, Pennsylvania.
Currently, 60,000 skilled workmen from 32 countries provide goods to the stores, with all proceeds (收益) re-invested in the organization.
Management of the Alexandria shop is overseen by an all-volunteer board of directors. More than 40 additional volunteers help doing everything from working the register to unpacking stock.
Maria Yannopoulos got involved after visiting a store and getting to know another volunteer. "Since we are non-profit, we are really looking for value because the more we sell, the more jobs we can create. Giving someone job rather than charity helps in so many ways. "
小题1:The underlined part "give others a lift" in the first paragraph means ______.
A．offer other a ride in a car
B．take others up and down in another floor
C．make others think of plans
D．make others more pleased小题2:A large number of people visit Ten Thousand Villagers because _______.
A．they are fond of traveling around
B．they can find something interesting
C．they can enjoy the wonderful foods
D．they want to learn how to farm in the fields小题3:What can we learn from the note mentioned in this passage?
A. Goods sold at Ten Thousand Villages are expensive.
B. Stories about Ten Thousand Villages are interesting.
C. What the purpose of the shop is.
D. Goods from the Third World are better than those from the USA.
小题4:From the last paragraph we can learn that ________.
A．American volunteers like to run shops
B．American shops are mostly operated by volunteers
C．Volunteers often offer goods to their friends as presents
D．Shopping can also be a kind of charity
