16 ways to turn your Black Friday shopping into real reproductive rights support

This Thanksgiving week there two things are at the forefront of Americans minds: eating and shopping. Retail Dive reports that 36% of Americans are expected to shop on Black Friday, with 34% planning to shop on Cyber Monday and though concerns about the economy were at the forefront of the election, shoppers say they have money to blow. Consumers are expecting to spend about $650 over the shopping weekend, according to accounting firm Deloitte.

‘Tis the season to be thankful, and this year Reckon is thankful for the work of abortion funds, which has become even more critical in the face of attacks on reproductive freedom and abortion bans which force people to travel miles from their homes to access the care that they need. These funds, many of which are run by a small number of volunteers, assist patients with the cost for abortion pills or procedures, and the costs associated with travel such as lodging, food, gas, childcare, and more. Many even provide mutual aid in their communities beyond the realm of abortion.

As the demand for financial assistance for folks seeking abortion care increases, funds across the country are facing a deficit as they try to keep up. This summer, funds reported a financial crisis amid increased need, and a decrease in donations since the fall of Roe v. Wade.

“I’m generally not someone to catastrophize the situation, but the reality is that we’ve come together today in crisis,” Oriaku Njoku, executive director of the National Network of Abortion Funds, said on a call with reporters in June. “Abortion funds are finding ways to make reproductive justice a reality in spite of us being in a state of emergency.”

As you find yourself checking off your holiday shopping list, searching for stocking stuffers or looking to treat yourself, Reckon has compiled a list of some of the ways you can help your local fund continue to serve abortion seekers.

For your or a friend: Abortion fund shopping list

Abortion is for Everyone sticker $4

Buckle Bunnies Fund operates as a mutual aid collective in Texas, run solely by volunteers. Donations go directly towards abortion funding, diapers, travel costs and other supportive measures.

Zodiac bouquet shirt $35

This year, DC Abortion Fund experienced a record high of calls received, the number of abortion they funded, and days they had to close because of their lack of funding.

Hotties for Abortion Access Lighter Wrap $4

Abortion Care Tennessee funds procedural costs for Tennesseans traveling for abortion care.

Abort the Patriarchy crew neck $37.99

Arkansas Abortion Support Network’s mission is to empower Arkansans in their right to bodily autonomy and reduce barriers to abortion access by providing funding and necessary resources.

Preserve Abortion Rights persimmons mug $19

Holler Health Justice is a POC- & queer-led racial, economic & reproductive justice nonprofit in West Virginia, serving Appalachia.

Sugar, Spice, and Reproductive Rights Candle $20

As a practical abortion fund, Midwest Access Coalition helps people traveling to, from, and within the Midwest access a safe abortion by assisting with travel coordination and costs, lodging, food, medicine, and childcare.

Bans Off Bucking Horse t-shirt $37.50

Chelsea’s Fund provides financial assistance to afford an abortion, information about accessing abortion care and advocacy to keep abortion services legal in Wyoming.

Printed Tie Dye Bucket Hat $28

Carolina Abortion Fund operates a confidential, toll free helpline that provides financial, practical, and emotional support to callers in North and South Carolina trying to access abortion care.

A is for Abortion Onesie $24.50

Since 2014, Missouri Abortion Fund has provided funding for more than 12,000 abortions and has provided almost $3,000,000 in financial assistance for patients.

Father By Choice for Choice $25

This Louisiana Abortion Fund shirt also comes in trans flag colors.

Mine Candle $28

The Lilith Fund also publishes zines and coloring books on their website to inform patients on how laws impact them and promote self care.

There are plenty of ways to give. If you’re not looking to shop but want to give the gift of reproductive care to someone in need:

• Cascade Abortion Support takes emergency contraception donations of $40 to distribute to underserved populations in the Portland area, including housing insecure folks, sex workers, queer and trans folks, and Native communities. They also offer an option to donate $40 monthly.
• Tampa Bay Abortion Fund has an Amazon Wish List with items they need to operate and serve abortion seekers.
• Abortion Fund of Ohio is on the Kroger Community Rewards Program in Central Ohio, so shoppers with a Krogers Plus Card can donate straight to the fund. Directions on their website say to log into krogercommunityrewards.com and enter their number 34940. To continue donating to AFO through Kroger Community Rewards, you will need to renew your enrollment online each April.

Monetary donations can be given directly to your local fund as well. Here is a list of a few funds serving diverse communities and specific needs.

• Digital Defense Fund, which works on digital security for the abortion access movement
• Women’s Emergency Network in Florida
• Frontera Fund in the Rio Grande Valley and Texas border
• Mariposa Fund, which supports undocumented people seeking abortion
• Wild West Access Fund of Nevada
• Colorado Doula Project, which provides abortion support and an abortion doula training program
• Yellowhammer Fund serves Alabama, Mississippi and the Deep South
• Fondo Maria serves people seeking abortion in Mexico