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Ahimsa lights the way
American Vegan Center
The American Vegan Center shares vegan info, books, history, merchandise, and much more at 17 N. 2nd Street in Old City Philadelphia. The AVC also hosts events such as cooking classes, lectures and book signings. Here’s what’s coming up! We offer Veg History walking tours of Old City. Sign Up Here for a tour! Come enjoy food from vegan entrepreneurs and discover how delicious vegan cuisine really is! And post a selfie with our Go Vegan sign, the Animal Freedom Bell, or our mascot Hope “Belle” Ahimsa who is a life-sized plush cow! We appreciate all donations; you enable this amazing Center.
Hours:
Wednesday / Thursday: Noon – 6 pm, Friday: Noon – 7 pm, Saturday: 11 am – 6 pm, Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm (closed Mon/Tues)
Located on a charming corner of Old City, the American Vegan Center (AVC) is a hub of vegan information. The Welcome Room is a small shop with books, T-shirts, Philly-specific vegan souvenirs, and food from vegan entrepreneurs! As live indoor events become safely feasible, the Center will open its Event Room to host presentations by chefs, doctors, scholars, authors, and others.
Walking tours showcase Philly’s rich vegetarian and vegan heritage. Here is the current schedule of upcoming veg history tours.
The city where the United States vegetarian movement was launched in 1817, and where the modern vegan movement began in 1957, today is home to a vibrant vegan food scene, from nationally acclaimed fine dining to amazing vegan burgers and donuts. The American Vegan Center strives to be a significant and useful milestone within Philly’s vegan community
The announcement of the Center has drawn attention from many quarters. These articles paint a picture of the Center and its goals from differing perspectives:
Hadas Kuznits, KYWNewsradio:
How Old City’s American Vegan Center is educating others about the values of veganism
Anna Starostinetskaya, VegNews:
The US is getting a national vegan welcome center
Patrick Kerr, GRID Magazine:
New venue offers a place to discover plant-based food and history
Peter Crimmins, WHYY:
New center will highlight Philadelphia’s vegan roots
Lindsey Baker, Unchained TV:
To keep AVC going, we are soliciting involvement wherein individuals, businesses, and foundations pledge annual donations of $100 to $50,000. Our target is $200,000 for the first year, and have already received $109,000.
Please send checks to: AVS, PO Box 369, Malaga NJ 08328. Phone AVS at 856-694-2887 for more information. PayPal buttons are very useful for smaller donations and monthly pledges, but they do take out a fee. Budget is available upon request.
Vegan Explorer $500-$999
American Vegan Society annual membership
Name listed on American Vegan Center promotional t-shirt
Certificate of appreciation
Thanked at AVC opening event
Named individually on AVC slide show
Bumper sticker
Vegan Guide $1,000-$4,999
Zoom call with Freya Dinshah, Vance Lehmkuhl, and/or Anne Dinshah
Life membership AVS
Name listed on American Vegan Center promotional t-shirt
Certificate of appreciation
Thanked at AVC opening event
Named individually on AVC slide show
Bumper sticker
Vegan Cuisine Initiator $5,000-$14,999
Recognized by name on wall plaque
First to receive each new postcard created (authenticated by AVS staff and mailed to you from Ben Franklin post office)
Zoom call with Freya Dinshah, Vance Lehmkuhl, and/or Anne Dinshah
Life membership AVS
Name listed on American Vegan Center promotional t-shirt
Certificate of appreciation
Thanked at AVC opening event
Named individually on AVC slide show
Bumper sticker
Dynamic Harmlessness Hero $15,000-$24,999
Dinner with Freya Dinshah, Vance Lehmkuhl, and/or Anne Dinshah at Vedge (when safe to do so)
Free VIP Admission to all AVS events
Listed annually in American Vegan magazine
Customized 2’x3′ Drawalong image around your initials
Named on wall plaque
First to receive each new postcard created (authenticated by AVS staff and mailed to you from Ben Franklin post office)
Life membership AVS
Name listed on American Vegan Center promotional t-shirt
Certificate of appreciation
Thanked at AVC opening event
Named individually on AVC slide show
Bumper sticker
American Vegan Benefactor $25,000 and up
Naming rights to AVC Welcome Room or AVC Event Space (top 2 donors)
Featured coverage of gift in American Vegan magazine, including interview
Thanked in all AVC press releases
Special dinner for you and a guest cooked by Freya Dinshah, Vance Lehmkuhl, and Anne Dinshah at the AVC (when safe to do so)
Free VIP Admission to all AVS events
Listed annually in American Vegan magazine
Customized 2’x3′ Drawalong image around your initials
First to receive each new postcard created (authenticated by AVS staff and mailed to you from Ben Franklin post office)
Life membership AVS
Name listed on American Vegan Center promotional t-shirt
Certificate of appreciation
Thanked at AVC opening event
Named individually on AVC slide show
Bumper sticker
Special Funding Opportunity - Endowed Staff Position
If you are interested in creating an endowed staff full-time position for the AVC, please reach out to Development Manager Gabby Mora at [email protected]
Choose your amount and whether to donate once, monthly, or annually!
American Vegan Society
56 Dinshah Lane, P.O. Box 369, Malaga NJ 08328 856.694.2887
Copyright © 1960-2023
AVS is a registered 501(c)(3) organization, EIN 226058533. All donations made to the American Vegan Society are tax deductible in accordance with applicable law..