Merry Christmas And Thank You From Union Eight

The designers at Union Eight would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas. We all thank you for your support this past year, and look forward to continuing our relationship with you next year as well. As you celebrate the holidays with your friends and families, please remember the thousands of people who might not have the resources we do and might go hungry this Christmas, due to the loss of employment, or other debilitating events. We at Union Eight count our blessings for being able to survive in this tough economy, and we hope you count your blessings as well. It is the hope of Union Eight that you will be kind enough to donate to your local food banks this Christmas to give a hand to those less fortunate than yourselves.

Food Banks See More Need, Fewer Donations

By Rebekah Kebede

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Jennifer Bingham earned $7.50 an hour packing boxes for a jewelry company, but after a short illness she was fired and had to seek help at a food pantry and women's shelter.

"I never expected to get sick," said Bingham, 51, who had no savings.

Bingham is not alone. The economic downturn triggered by the worst financial crisis in decades is sending more Americans to food banks. But the crisis has also cut donations from companies and individuals, according to a survey for Feeding America, the largest U.S. relief organization.

"We're seeing more and more people coming to the front door and less and less food coming through the back door," said Aine Duggan of the Food Bank for New York City. "We're being squeezed from both sides and we haven't seen the worst of it."

U.S. jobless claims climbed to a 7-year high of over 500,000 last week, the Labor Department reported, and many of the newly unemployed are showing up at food banks.

Feeding America, which has more than 200 member food banks, said that almost all have reported an increase in the number of people they serve from a year ago and 80 percent cannot adequately meet the demand.

Al Brislain, who runs a food bank in Fort Myers, Florida, said the number of his clients has shot up 82 percent in the past two years as construction, the region's primary employer, almost ground to a halt.

"We are distributing more but we just can't keep up," he said.

NEW FACE OF HUNGER

An increasing number of people showing up at food banks are middle class, Brislain said.

"The new face of hunger is middle-class people. Working people," said Randi Shubin Dresner, director of Island Harvest, a food bank and food rescue organization.

For some, it is the first time they need help.

"We're getting a lot of first-time callers -- people who are used to paying their mortgage, used to working, used to paying their rent and all of a sudden have lost their jobs or have been faced with increased housing costs," said Anne Wrotniewski, of the Catholic Charities/Brownson House in East Los Angeles.

"They're completely unfamiliar with the social services arena. They're ashamed," she said.

With so many new demands, food banks are looking for ways to stretch their budgets

Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, which donates to food banks in the northeastern states, has seen a 15 percent increase in requests for contributions. It has assigned experts to help them stretch energy and printing dollars, said company spokeswoman Faith Weiner.

Food banks must also reach people who need food but are ashamed to go to a pantry.

The Community Kitchen in Harlem serves "take-out" dinners and Long Island Cares food bank is considering a mobile pantry.

"For some people it's very difficult to go to a pantry -- it's the straw that breaks the camel's back," said Paule Pachter, director of the Long Island Cares food bank.

(Additional reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Anthony Boadle)

$10 Bonus Gift!

Order $60 or more from any of the Union Eight galleries between now and December 24th and you will receive a $10 gift coupon with your package that makes a great gift for friends, family or for yourself!
Here's the details:

$10 discount applies to orders $10 or more for all Zazzle products, excluding gift certificates. Enter promo code at checkout to receive the $10 discount. Minimum order amount does not include shipping and handling charges or taxes. Promo code may only be used once and may not be reproduced or transferred. Valid through December 31, 2008 at 11:59 PST. This promotional offer may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or discount offers.

You still have time to receive those special holiday gifts on time for Christmas, but order today! The deadline for ground shipping for T-shirts and apparel is December 15th for Christmas delivery. Here's some of the awesome T-shirt designs you'll find in Union Eight galleries!

I Used to Rock by MotherandFatherGifts

Keep On Truckin' T-Shirt by thekiddiepatch

Your Family Name Customizable Crest Kids Hoodie by TeeShirtsTShirts

Official Mistletoe Inspector by TeeShirtsTShirts

Warning ADDICTED TO CAFFEINE Women's Dark T-Shirt by warningsignshirts

Retro 60's T-Shirt by sagart1952

Jolly Old Santa Kids T-shirt by smallpotatoesdesigns

Pretty Blue Nurse by occupation_tshirts

Male Construction Worker by stick_figures
Shop the Union Eight galleries and earn yourself a $10 gift coupon while finding great gifts and T-shirts for everyone on your holiday gift list!

Holiday Gift Ideas from Union Eight

There's still plenty of time to order gifts for everyone on your holiday gift list. Union Eight has great gifts for everyone from the babysitter you adore to your child's preschool teacher, the lady next door who brings over soup when she knows you're not feeling well, Uncle Bob who loves nothing more than a good laugh, your sister Susan who loves to cook, and the new baby who just arrived on the scene and is celebrating his first Christmas. You can still take advantage of the $1 ground shipping deal by using coupon code ONEDOLLARGRD on orders of $45 or more. This offer is good until December 15th.
Whether shopping by product or by design, you're sure to find something unique. Let's take a look at a few aprons in various Union Eight galleries.

Cute Chef Gift Apron by chef_tshirts

Funny Not My Life T-shirts Gifts by sagart1952

Mom's Bakery Kitchen Apron by CowPieCreek

Maybe you're thinking you'd like to buy a baby's first Christmas T-shirt, or perhaps a holiday design T-shirt for the kids or youself!

Fleece Navidad Funny Christmas T-Shirt by CowPieCreek

Who Needs Santa When I've Got Gramps by TeeShirtsTShirts

Frosty Snowman First Christmas Tshirt by christmasshop

Nothing beats a nice hot cup of cocoa as you sit together on a cold winter night in December, the twinkling lights of the tree, the soft sound of holiday carols. These holiday design mugs are perfect for that special time!

Discover the Magic by christmasshop

Santa Rocks Red and Green Christmas by TeeShirtsTShirts

Merry Christmouse Mug by christmasmuggifts

For the babies and toddlers on your holiday gift list, check out some of these cute T-shirts!

Honey Bee by teewitbaby

got candy (2) by teewitbaby

Noahs Ark T-Shirt by kids_tshirts

Warning ONLY CHILD Women's Dark T-Shirt by warningsignshirts

Warning LITTLE SISTER Women's Dark T-Shirt by warningsignshirts

ONE DAY MUG SALE IN ALL UNION EIGHT SHOPS

Tuesday December 9 - shop our 1 day holiday mug sale for great bargains on Christmas holiday mugs, sports mugs, occupation mugs, school class mugs, grandparent mugs and more. See all our Union Eight Mugs here and cross those last Christmas gifts off your list. Or, get a set of cute snowman or Santa mugs for hot chocolate on Christmas morning.
Here are a few samples, but Union Eight has almost 20,000 great mugs to choose from.
USE COUPON CODE MUGSONZAZZLE

Christmas Penguin Mug by christmas_tshirts
Design cheap coffee mugs With Zazzle.com
Browse Major Holidays Mugs

Pretty Stylist Mug Gift by occupation_tshirts
Design custom steins At Zazzle
Browse Occupations Mugs

I Love Christmas Sweet Pastel Christmas Tree by TeeShirtsTShirts
Design a travel coffee mug At www.Zazzle.com
See other Other Holidays Mugs

Warning WORLD'S GREATEST ACCOUNTANT Mug by warningsignshirts
Make photo coffee mugs On www.zazzle.com
Browse other Humor Sayings Mugs

World War II Mug by worldwar2gifts
Get your own coffee mugs On Zazzle.com
Browse other Military War Effort Mugs

Custom Cowboy Brown Mug - Customizable by toddlersplace
Design photo coffee mugs With zazzle
Browse other Arts Design Fashion Mugs

Beautiful and Young Gramma by MyGrandparentsRock
Create coffee mugs with pictures On zazzle.com
View more Family Mugs

Hoe Hoe Hoe Mug by christmasmuggifts
Make custom photo gift mugs On zazzle
See more Major Holidays Mugs

One Day Shirt Sale - Monday December 8th

ONE DAY SHIRT SALE IN ALL UNION EIGHT SHOPS
Visit any of the shops at Union Eight for a super holiday shirt sale on December 8th. All shirts are $5 off our regular prices. We carry shirts for Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, kids, babies, teachers, friends and just about everybody on your holiday shopping list. Use coupon code ZAZZLE5SHIRT at check out to get the discount.

Here are some examples of Union Eight brand t-shirts you can save big on:

Cute Merry Christmas Elf Kids T-shirt by MainstreetShirt
Make personalized t-shirts At Zazzle.com
View other Major Holidays T-Shirts

Tis The Season T-Shirt by CowPieCreek
Many more t-shirts online at Zazzle
Browse other Major Holidays T-Shirts

Country Santa T-shirts by christmas_tshirts
Make Custom T-Shirts At Zazzle
See other Major Holidays T-Shirts

Christmas University by universityshirts
Design a Customized T Shirt At zazzle
See other Major Holidays T-Shirts

Grandmom's Home is Where the Heart is by MyGrandparentsRock
Design your own Custom T-Shirts At zazzle
More Family T-Shirts

Peace Love Holidays Christmas Design by TeeShirtsTShirts
Tee shirts from www.zazzle.com
Browse more Major Holidays T-Shirts

I'm the Light of Mommy's Life by christmasshop
Create Custom T-Shirts On Zazzle
See more Major Holidays T-Shirts

Cyber Monday Special - Free Shipping On All Union Eight Products

It's Cyber Monday and Union Eight brand products will save you money on your holiday shopping this year. Take advantage of Free Shipping with no minium order on December 1 2008. This is the perfect way to order a mug or t-shirt for someone special on your Christmas list. Buy gifts for teachers, stocking stuffers for kids, funny gifts for Dad, new embroidered caps and jackets for teens or just pick up a little something for yourself.
Here are some of our top picks for holiday shoppers, or visit any of the Union Eight online sites for more great bargains on Cyber Monday.

Sweet Christmas Elf Baby T-shirt by MainstreetShirt
Make Customized Tee Shirts At www.zazzle.com
View other Events Holidays Greetings T-Shirts

Dress baby for the holidays in this cute Christmas elf t-shirt.

Bugs and Apples 1st Grade by school_teacher
t-shirts made by www.zazzle.com
See other Youth School Academics T-Shirts

This adorable 1st Grade Teacher t-shirt makes a perfect holiday gift.

Elementary School Teacher Mug by teachertshirts
Or give any teacher this darling country school mug. Fill with your favorite hot drink packet and a sweet treat or gift card.

US Reserves Embroidered Hat by embroideryshirts
Have a friend in the reserves? This cool cap is a great gift or stocking stuffer for Christmas.
Cute stick figure U.S. Soldier t-shirt is a great gift for those who serve each of us every day.
Proud US Soldier by stick_figures

Father's Day Football T-shirts by fathersdaytshirts
Any Dad would love to find this cool Touch Down football t-shirt under the tree on Christmas morning. Just in time for the big bowl games on New Year's Day.

Cat And Holly Mug by CowPieCreek
Everyone has at least one cat lover on their Christmas list. This cute Kitty Cat mug is the cat's meow so stick one in the top of their stocking or fill with goodies and wrap in cellophane with a bright red bow on top.

Go Green Frog Ecology Poster by CowPieCreek
Kids love to show their support for the Green Movement and this funny Go Green frog poster is perfect for decorating any kid's bedroom wall. Roll it up and put it in their Christmas stocking.

Peace Love Tennis by TeeShirtsTShirts
Fun Peace Love Tennis hat is a great gift for any tennis lover on your shopping list.

Distressed Drum Stick USA Flag Drummer Tees Gifts by TeeShirtsTShirts
Music students and music lovers alike will love this USA drummer musician t-shirt.

Sibling for Sale by teewitbaby
Cute big sis or big brother t-shirt will bring a laugh on Christmas morning.

Dad Blocks 2 by MotherandFatherGifts
Give the new Dad a colorful mug for Christmas and be sure to fill it with his favorite sweet treat.

Red Street Rod by hotrodshirts
Cool Street Rod t-shirt makes a great holiday gift for guys or gals.

America Flag by worldflagtshirts
Great gift for anyone on your holiday shopping list - Show your pride in America with this colorful USA flag hat.
Union Eight shops offer tens of 1,000's more gifts and stocking stuffers for you to choose from. Visit today and take advantage of free shipping for Cyber Monday.