MamaP

I’ve spent the past few weeks in a forced pause, recovering from an illness. Sitting in that silence gave me the space to look closely at the world we are currently navigating - and frankly, to process what I’m seeing.

Today, many are participating in a Nationwide Shutdown - no work, no school, no shopping - as a protest against the systemic disregard for human life. We see it in the illegal kidnappings, detentions, and deportations orchestrated by ICE across our country. We see it in the violence in our backyard in Minneapolis and across the country. We see it in the humanitarian catastrophes abroad, from Palestine to Venezuela. Human rights violations against women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community.

What we are witnessing isn't just chaos; it's a design. This volume of injustice is intended to overwhelm us into a state of paralysis.

As a Mother, a Citizen, and a Business Owner, I see the struggle of this day intimately. I see my fellow small business owners - many of whom are the lifelines for their families and employees - deciding to stay open today. For a small business, a single day of zero revenue isn't just a "protest"; it’s a threat to their survival. If you are participating in today’s shutdown, I stand with you. If you find that you must shop today, I urge you: Buy Small. Buy Local.

When you shop with a small business, you are directly impacting a family’s life and keeping funds within your local economy. You are divesting from the corporate giants that often remain silent - or worse, profit - from the very systems we are protesting.

My perspective is shaped by my own family's history - one side arriving as immigrants, the other rooted here for generations. This dual history has taught me that human rights are not a privilege to be granted or taken away by power; they are the baseline of a civilized society.

Mama-P remains committed to a future rooted in equity. We cannot talk about "saving the planet" if we aren’t willing to fight for the people on it. We will not be distracted by the designed exhaustion of the current news cycle.

Thank you for standing with us, and for standing with your local community.

With resolve,

Suz

Today is the day to make a BIG impact for Small Business Saturday! Every Mama-P order today fuels our mission to keep plastic out of homes and communities. Thank you for choosing to Shop Small!

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Last week, my stepdaughter and I had the privilege of personally delivering over 750 essential bamboo toothbrushes to the Palisades Emergency Residence Corporation (PERC) in the NYC metro area. PERC is an incredible organization, serving as both a 24-hour homeless shelter and a vital food pantry for local families.

Especially now, with the pause in SNAP/EBT benefits and rising costs, basic personal care necessities are often the first to be cut from household budgets. This donation means hundreds of families won't have to choose between personal care and a meal – they can focus their limited funds on food and shelter, while maintaining their dignity.

It was touching to see the dedication of the PERC staff and the immediate need in our community. While we were there, we saw families arriving, seeking support from the food pantry. It's a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.

Our mission at Mama-P has always been to give back to the planet and its people. Thank you for being a part of this journey.