Sales from Black Friday and Cyber Monday were up this year. But non-profit organizations are trying to turn on shoppers to a new holiday tradition — Giving Tuesday.

The idea started at 92nd street Y, a nonprofit  in New York. Sol Adler with the Y said sites like Twitter and Facebook are the engines behind the push for Giving Tuesday.

“We wanted to create a conversation about giving in the United States,”Adler said. “Giving Tuesday sounded like the perfect way to do it.”

Two Chicago organizations, The American Cancer Society and Uhlich Children’s Advantage Network (UCAN), learned about the campaign through social media and are now partners in the movement.

“The idea that there’s this day right by [Thanksgiving] to make sure that we are thinking of others and giving back, is a really neat and exciting idea,” said Rebecca Faulk, a spokeswoman for UCAN.

Over 2,200 organizations, corporations, and nonprofits have joined the movement.

“This is just a really great way for us to get our message out there and encourage donors to support us,” said Lisa Hurley of Chicago’s United Way.

David Magnuson of the Salvation Army said they will be tracking donations throughout the day to see if there is an increase in support.

“Today is a big push and we think that’s going to pay off for us and for a lot other worthy charities,” Magnuson said.

The Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences partnered with Outreach International to prepare meals for families in need. Around 300 students prepared 28,000 meals that will go to Northern Illinois Food Bank.

“Black Friday and  Cyber Monday may be good for the economy,” Adler said. “But  Giving Tuesday is a day that’s good for the soul.”