Admittedly, I am behind the times. Like, wayyyy behind. But, have you heard about the Facebook group(s) “Buy Nothing”?
To join one, you simply get on Facebook and type “Buy Nothing groups near me” in the search engine (or, “Buy Nothing” and your city) and you will be matched with a group in your neighborhood. I was asked three simple questions about where I live and I was quickly approved to join.
And, then the fun begins!
Need a wheelchair to recover from surgery? Ask if someone has one you can borrow. Do you have big piles of outgrown kids’ clothes? Offer them to a mom in need.
Seriously, nothing is too random to ask for or offer up. I’ve seen pretty much everything under the sun in the short time I’ve belonged:
- Recently, a woman in my group had trees fall down and block her driveway. A group of men came and removed the trees for her in exchange for the firewood.
- During the bad weather, people with four-wheel drive vehicles offered their driving services for those stuck in their houses.
- Someone else needed 25 round tablecloths for her wedding. She was gifted 25 ivory ones!
- Needed: Voss water bottles, kids’ games, kids’ clothes, drywall, candles, pots and pans, mealworms for chickens … All found and gifted!
Personally, the one thing I have trouble purging from my house is art supplies. I love all mine but they were threatening to take over the house. When a mom recently asked if anyone had craft supplies, I was suddenly excited to put a big box together for her. And, when I found out they were for her five-year-old daughter, my granddaughter and I had a blast putting together another box of toys for her.
Then, a woman had ankle surgery and needed a stationary bike to continue training for a half-marathon. It felt great to offer mine to someone who will actually park their butt on the seat and use it!
This “Buy Nothing” thing is addictive and so much fun.
Buy Nothing’s Project Mission is this:
“We offer people a way to give and receive, share, lend, and express gratitude through a worldwide network of hyper-local gift economies in which the true wealth is the web of connections formed between people who are real-life neighbors.” (Basically, let’s all be friends!).
I think we all wish we could do more, help-and be-helped more, and connect with the people around us. “Buy Nothing” offers us an easy way to do this.
The one big rule is that no money changes hands. Other than that, you can opt for people to do a “porch pick-up” or you can meet them at a public place. You can offer your item to the first person who responds, have a drawing of names or choose someone based on their story. You can share as much or as little information as you want to. I have received lovely messages from my new friends and it’s fun to know they are loving the items that were just gathering dust in my house.
Tara, the admin of my group, suggests adding why you are interested in a certain item. Maybe you’ll discover a neighbor with a similar interest or background and a new friendship will bloom.
If there isn’t already a “Buy Nothing” group in your area, perhaps you’d like to start your own.
By the way, I’m not being paid in any way to endorse Buy Nothing. I just think it’s a great idea and I love being a part of it.
To learn more, go to:
https://buynothingproject.org/
Read more of Ann’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.
