MADISON — Parishes throughout the Diocese of Madison will be selling Divine Chocolate the weekends of February 6 and 7 and February 13 and 14 (the weekend before Lent begins). However, parishes can sell Divine Chocolate at any time during the year.
Divine Chocolate is fair-trade chocolate that supports cocoa farmers in Ghana. The profits from this diocesan sale will benefit the Diocese of Madison’s Global Solidarity Partnership’s Donkey Project in the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga, Ghana. This project gives donkeys to poor women in Navrongo-Bolgatanga (see related story on Page 2).
Divine Chocolate is made with cocoa grown by the nearly 50,000 members of a cocoa farmer’s association in Ghana called Kuapa Kokoo. These members are paid a specially contracted price along with a special “social premium” for every ton of chocolate used to improve the living conditions in the farmer’s community.
The member association also owns a portion of the Divine Chocolate manufacturing company. These additional profits from the manufacturing of the chocolate are used for water, sanitation, roads, and educational purposes in the member’s local community.
For parishes or parish organizations wishing to sell Divine Chocolate, it can be ordered from SERRV, located at 2701 Monroe St., Madison, which gives the diocese a special discount, by calling 608-233-4438. Have your parish’s Wisconsin Sales Tax Exemption Number available when ordering. Chocolate is ordered by the box, with milk, dark, toffee, and crunchy chocolate available.
For more information about Divine Chocolate contact Clarence Mougin at 608-850-4084 or clarencemougin@charter.net