The holiday season is often seen as a time of connection and care. But for deaf/disabled people incarcerated across the United States, it’s a period of heightened isolation and struggle. HEARD's Commissary Fund is a direct way to help people survive inside by providing funds for essential items like food, hygiene products, and stamps for communicating with loved ones.

Did you know that a tube of travel sized toothpaste often costs five times more inside prison? These extensive markups on costs and fees put the burden on deaf/disabled incarcerated community members and their loved ones, many of whom are cost-burdened themselves.

This is HEARD’s fifth year of sending commissary funds to deaf/disabled incarcerated community members during the holiday season. Through over a decade of advocacy, we have seen that commissary support is a lifeline for people inside. This winter, we are calling on you to help us continue this work.

In honor of HEARD’s 5th anniversary of sending these funds, and in anticipation of the organization's 15th anniversary in February 2026, we are offering zines of compiled art and poems from currently incarcerated deaf/disabled people for all gifts over $25. This 32-page booklet is a labor of love, care, and solidarity for our communities. Proceeds go towards our commissary fund and paying these artists for their work. We hope you consider giving an amount to carry this piece of history.

2025 Holiday Fundraiser: HEARD's Commissary Fund

Our 5th Annual End-of-Year Fundraiser