At MiiR, we believe every purchase should create positive change.
As part of our Giving Tuesday initiative, we’re spotlighting the International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) New Roots Program - an inspiring example of how purpose-driven partnerships can strengthen communities and build a more sustainable future. Every miir.com purchase from Tuesday, December 2 through Thursday, December 4 will directly give back to this amazing community!
Who is the IRC?
The IRC works in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities to help people whose lives have been upended by conflict and disaster. Their mission is simple but powerful: to help individuals and families survive, recover, and rebuild their lives with dignity. Whether it’s providing emergency aid, supporting education, or fostering economic empowerment, the IRC stands alongside people as they find stability and hope for the future.
About the New Roots Program
Among the many initiatives led by the IRC, the New Roots Program holds a special place in our hearts. This innovative, multi-faceted agriculture and food program partners with newcomer Americans and their neighbors to promote health, community connection, and economic independence. Through community gardens, nutrition education, and small-scale farm businesses, New Roots empowers participants to grow their own food, build sustainable livelihoods, and reconnect with the agricultural traditions many of them carried from their home countries.
But New Roots is much more than a food security initiative - it’s a bridge between cultures. In shared garden plots across the U.S., people from diverse backgrounds come together to plant, grow, and harvest side by side. These spaces foster friendship, understanding, and a deep sense of belonging, reminding us all of the common ground we share.
Curious what that all amounts to? See the results in the New Roots 2024 Annual Report.
Here's a summary:
- 64 urban gardens and farms
- 1,716 youth & adults growing food
- $511,385 worth of food assistance distributed to community members
- 97% of New Roots participants said they have higher quality food available to them
- Families saved an average of $45 per week during the harvest season.
- Farmers grew over $3.3 million dollars worth of produce
Learn more about the real people this work supports - like Hser, a New Roots farmer in Utah.
Why We Love Their Work
At its core, the New Roots Program reflects many of the same values that drive MiiR: community, empowerment, and sustainability. By addressing both immediate needs and long-term resilience, the program nurtures the kind of holistic growth that strengthens entire communities.
New Roots was also one of the very first recipients of our Annual Grant Program in the Sustainable Food Systems and Agriculture category. Their partnership and feedback helped shape the way we think about the impact of our grants - and we’re deeply grateful for their continued work in building food systems that are equitable, sustainable, and inclusive.
How You Can Help
This Giving Tuesday, when you’re asking “where can my purchases do some good?” — we invite you to join us in supporting the IRC’s New Roots Program. Every MiiR purchase made between Tuesday December 2 and December 4, 2025 will support the IRC’s New Roots Program, helping families grow food, resilience, and connection.
At MiiR, giving back isn’t just something we do - it’s part of who we are. Since day one, we’ve partnered with nonprofits through financial and in-kind support to help them do what they do best: make meaningful change. Over the years, we’ve supported a wide range of causes, and this holiday season, we’re honored to spotlight one that feels especially timely and inspiring - the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and its New Roots Program.
