NewBo City Market is the home of several popular summertime events, both weekly community events produced by the Market like Rock the Block and Meet Me at the Market, and larger festivals presented by area nonprofit organizations like the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy and Last Hope Animal Rescue, among many others! Our summer event calendar is usually jam packed with community festivals and events enjoyed by the entire family. The coronavirus crisis has brought with it a wave of cancellations and postponements of festivals and fundraisers hosted at the Market. Losing these popular community events will add to the hurt currently felt by both the Market and our Shopkeepers during this pandemic. These festivals have been huge sales days for our Shopkeepers as thousands of customers would come to the Market to celebrate Juneteenth, Pride and the many other events the Market typically hosts. These cancellations also hurt all of the organizations who count on the revenue from these community festivals. NewBo City Market has been proud to help local nonprofit organizations raise over $1,000,000 annually through festivals and events at the Market. Just as we are concerned for our organization and our Shopkeepers, we are equally worried for our community partners. Today is #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity that is an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. It's a chance to come together to create a wave of generosity, citizen engagement, action from business and philanthropy, and support for our community and local nonprofits. Today, we ask that you make a donation in support of NewBo City Market, our Shopkeepers, and our community space. We also ask that you make a donation to our community nonprofit partners who are also a part of our NewBo family. Despite the social distancing, we can all show our social connection by supporting these important community organizations. Thank you for your support. All of us miss all of you. Be well, be safe and continue to be #CRStrong.
Here are some of our community partners that you should support on #GivingTuesdayNow!
CRPride
CRPride's mission is to create opportunities for awareness, inclusivity and visibility of LGBTQIA+ within our community. CRPrideFest is typically held in July on the Market's yard and is a celebration of our community's diversity. This year, the event has been cancelled, but CRPride's mission continues.
Eastern Iowa Arts Academy
EIAA is a nonprofit after school arts organization created for K-12th grade students in the Greater Cedar Rapids metro area. EIAA offers classes in art, music, drama, dance, cultural arts and creative writing. In the summer, EIAA hosts the Volta Youth Music and Art Festival at NewBo, which brings our community together to support Eastern Iowa's young talent.
African American Museum of Iowa
The African American Museum of Iowa's mission is to preserve, exhibit, and teach the African American heritage of Iowa. Each year, AAMI organizes a Juneteenth celebration in Cedar Rapids. This year, the event would have been held at the Market but due to Covid-19 has been moved to a virtual celebration.
EcoFest
EcoFest is a collaborative annual event planned by multiple local nonprofit environmental groups and held at NewBo City Market. The Corridor’s premier Earth Day celebration, this family-friendly festival includes the Eco-Film Fest, interactive educational activities, local foods, and free live music all day! This year's event has been cancelled but you can still support the nonprofits that organize EcoFest likeTrees Forever and Indian Creek Nature Center.
Last Hope Animal Rescue
Last Hope Animal Rescue is an all-volunteer animal rescue group comprised of foster homes and an Adoption Center in the greater Cedar Rapids area. One of their biggest annual fundraisers, Barks & Brew, will take place at NewBo City Market on August 15, 2020. This event features local breweries and wineries, live music, and adoptable dogs! Click here to donate to Last Hope Animal Rescue
These are just some of the amazing community partners that we work with every year to put on fun and family-friendly events and fundraisers! Be sure to support them, and NBCM, this #GivingTuesday!