MiddBriefs

Author: Hillary Hall and Derek Matus

BUSINESS GROUP PITCHES "BIG BOX SWINDLE" TO PROMOTE BUYING LOCAL

Why should I buy local? Stacy Mitchell of the national nonprofit Institute for Local Self-Reliance answered this very question for a crowded auditorium in Twilight Auditorium on Oct. 28. Mitchell, a Portland, ME resident, is the author of the recently published book The Big Box Swindle.

The Big Box Swindle and Mitchell's presentation are based on the trouble that "big box" stores such as Wal-Mart, Target and Home Depot cause for communities when they put down roots in cities and towns across the country. Mitchell called the big box issue "more relevant than ever before," citing global warming and the nation's struggling middle class as direct results of these mass retailers.

Reports of rising carbon emissions and warming trends have plagued the country in recent years. Big box stores are extremely dependent on fossil fuels. Their long distance shipping, land consumption and distance from most neighborhoods all take a massive toll on the environment. Mitchell remarked that from 1990-2001, Americans increased the number of miles they drove to go shopping by 40 percent.

And despite the common misconception that Wal-Mart brings jobs to communities, Mitchell stated that there is in fact an average net decline of 150 jobs. This, in addition to the fact that four times less money stays in the local economy when a Wal-Mart rolls into town, has pushed more people into the working poor class.

"We have lost track of our values," Mitchell said, "in thinking of price instead of community values."

The good news? Mitchell concluded by saying that every person can make a difference in his or her local economy. The number of Farmers Markets has increased 35 percent since 2000, along with a rising interest in buying local products, a cause helped along in no small part by nonprofits like Mitchell's. With public education and attention to city government policies and codes, she looks to help grow a new generation of locally owned businesses.

"It's about changing our priorities," she said. "You can help your community."

TOM'S SHOES BRINGS THE SOLE TO STYLE WITH ON CAMPUS FOOTWEAR DECORATION

On Nov. 1 TOM's Shoes sponsored an event at Ross Commons in which students could support a charitable cause by buying and decorating a pair of shoes.

Tom's Shoes was started as a way to combat the deficiency of footwear among the world's poor. By simply selling shoes, the company is able to provide this basic human need to thousands because for every pair bought there is another pair donated. Since 2006, the company has not only expanded due to the popularity of its shoes, but has also been able to match its sales with approximately 60,000 pairs of shoes donated to underprivileged people in Argentina and South Africa.

Along with selling its shoes at national retailers such as Nordstrom's, on the Web site tommsshoes.com and in various boutiques, the company has launched the Vagabond Tour to promote the cause around the country, including making stops at college campuses such as Middlebury.

At the event on Saturday, students could buy a discounted pair of TOM's shoes and decorate them with art supplies such as markers, paints and stencils. While they decorated their shoes, participants were reminded of their contribution by a movie that documented the places and people to whom the donated shoes would go.

When asked what her favorite part of the event was, participant Amy Prescott '12 replied: "I really enjoyed being able to make my shoes look unique." She also liked the charitable aspect of her purchase.

"I'm willing to pay a little more for them because I know that I'm giving another pair to a child who really needs them. It's a really easy way to make a difference," she said.