UPDATE: Jam sold out in 2 days and we raised nearly $55k! Thanks so much to everyone who participated! This auction has warmed my heart and is a great way to end this trying year. - Samin
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does the auction work?
GiveSmart is super easy to use. Click on the jam you'd like to bid on. Click the "Register Now" button to create an account with your name, contact info, and billing info (your credit card will only be charged if you win). You can also choose to receive text messages for when new jars are released, when your bid is winning, and when you've been outbid.
How do I place a bid?
Each jar starts at $25. Enter the amount you'd like to bid (the minimum increment is $5) and click the green "Bid" button. You can also create an auto bid. Set the maximum bid amount and the system will automatically outbid any new bids!
How does Buy Now work?
You can skip all the fuss and buy the jar of your choice outright. Click on the Buy Now tab and click on the green "Buy Now for $200" button.
I see multiple jars of the same jam. Is this an error?
Nope! Each jar has a unique item number (101, 102, 103, etc.) in the upper left hand corner.
How do I know if I won?
If you checked the box allowing for for text notifications when you signed up, the last text you will receive is that "you having a leading bid". Upon winning an item, the credit card in your account will be processed and you will be emailed a receipt (for your bid, the $11 shipping fee, and the credit card processing fee).
Someone keeps outbidding me!
That's not a question. But don't despair! New jars will be released every couple hours over the next few days until we run out, so refresh the auction items page often. Be the first to know when new jars are released by signing up for text notifications.
Are there any limits to how many jars of jam I can bid on / win?
Only in your heart. And maybe your wallet.
I don't live in the US. Can I participate?
Unfortunately, due to shipping costs, this auction is only available to bidders in the US.
Can I send this as a gift to someone?
Um YES, especially if you want them to love you forever. Email us at [email protected] with your name, winning item number, and the name/mailing address you'd like us to send it to and we'll take care of the rest.
Who is the money going to?
The funds we raise will be split evenly between two organizations:
The DEEP Grocery Coop is a community-developed project that equitably provides fresh, local foods and job opportunities, prioritizing Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) residents of Deep East Oakland. The DEEP is a project of Acta Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project (ANV). To learn more and support its mission, please go to the DEEP Grocery Coop website.
Oakland International High School provides a quality alternative education for recently arrived immigrant students in English language acquisition and in preparation for college. Its diverse students become active participants in our community while learning in small groups through collaboration and interdisciplinary multimedia projects. To learn more and support its mission, please go to the Oakland International High School website. You can also read teacher and journalist Lauren Markham's excellent book, The Far Away Brothers, about the extraordinary experiences of two of the school's students.
Why does this jam cost so much?
Every single penny raised from the auction is going directly to the DEEP Grocery Coop and Oakland International High School. We have underwritten all of the operational costs as well as the costs involved with making the jam in order to provide support for these incredible organizations and the communities they serve.
Why are some of the jams in different sized jars?
We're in a pandemic! It's been difficult to find toilet paper, yeast, and love. Also jars. We promise you're still getting approximately the same amount of delicious jam whether it's Santa Rosa Plum Noyaux, Blenheim Apricot, Plum Vanilla, Lemon Verbena Plum, Orange Marmalade, or Cherry Sumac. Jars are either 8 ounces or 10.5 ounces.
Who designed the labels?
These incredible labels are the work of design queen Mamie Rheingold. She also designs the illustrations for the Home Cooking podcast!
What does "Value Added" mean?
Value Added products are exactly what they sound like - goods with some sort of investment to increase their value. We like to think that beyond the sugar, noyau extract, time, and labor we put into making these jams, we also instilled them with some of our core values - most importantly, caring for our community.
How does payment work?
Payment is by credit card only. No cash or check. Upon winning an item, the credit card in your account will be processed and you will be emailed a receipt (for your bid, the $11 shipping fee, and the credit card processing fee). Your credit card will only be charged if you win an item.
NOTE: The purchase of this jam is NOT tax deductible. To make tax deductible donations to these organizations, please go to their respective websites: DEEP Grocery Coop / East Oakland Grocery Cooperative and Oakland International High School.
Shipping and Pickup Info
Winning bids will be charged a flat shipping fee of $11. These jams will be sent via USPS priority mail after the entire auction has closed. Please be patient with our small team. We know this is the busiest time of the year for the USPS but we will try to get you these jams asap. Again, unfortunately, due to shipping costs, this auction is only available to bidders in the US.
Local Pickup - If a winner is located in the Bay Area and would prefer to pickup their jam, please contact [email protected]. Pickup will be in Oakland on December 21st and December 28th.
Contact Info
For any additional questions, please contact [email protected].
Enough questions! How do I buy some jam for two great causes?
Here you go!
