(LEX 18) — The Tuesday following Black Friday and Cyber Monday is Giving Tuesday, also known as National Day of Giving.
This year, November 30 is Giving Tuesday, but it also marks the beginning of the week-long online GoodGiving Challenge across the Bluegrass.
The GoodGiving Challenge kicked off Tuesday morning with a celebration in downtown Lexington. For the next week, people across central Kentucky can donate to local non-profits during one of the biggest giving events of the year.
"We're trying to show how people can become bakers, learn the trade of baking, and have something they can carry with them for the rest of their life," said Rob Perez of DV8 Kitchen.
DV8 Kitchen is a second chance employment opportunity and one of the non-profits participating in the challenge. Perez says this week of fundraising is vital for what they do.
"If we can raise enough funds, we're going to expand our bakery offerings, expand where we deliver, how we deliver, maybe even go into retail."
The Blue Grass Community Foundation, which hosts the challenge, says there is a total of 180 Kentucky charities participating this year, which is a record amount. The non-profits are from 14 different counties all across central Kentucky.
"For us, it's incredibly important, " said Laurie Preston, Director of Development, Living Arts & Science Center.
The Living Arts & Science Center is also participating in the week-long challenge and they're welcoming all the support after a tough year and a half.
"Especially during the pandemic, it's been a very trying time for all non profits, but especially for us in some ways. arts and cultural institutions were not top of mind, necessarily. so we need it for survival," said Preston.
"Everything from helping keep our costs low, to having scholarships available for students who need them. It keeps our lights on and our supplies in."
The GoodGiving Challenge runs until December 6.
Sell the full sampling of non-profits at bggivesorg.
