SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES
How to get free stuff off your neighbor’s porch
Mar 2, 2015, 5:49 PM | Updated: Mar 14, 2015, 5:46 am
Recipients of the gifts will usually pick them up at their neighbor's once the giver sends them a personal message with their address. (AP)
(AP)
A movement that started on Bainbridge Island has made its way to the mainland and across the globe. The creators of the Buy Nothing Project say their hyper-local gift economy went worldwide in just 18 months. They count over 110,000 members in 12 nations.
KIRO Radio’s Rachel Belle has signed up for it in her neighborhood and explained how it works.
“Someone in the group will put up a picture of a banjo or some furniture or baby clothes, anything they want. They post the picture and people say, ‘I want it. I want it,’ and then the person giving it away can either choose the first person on the list or they do a random drawing.”
The Buy Nothing groups are set up on Facebook, so the giver will reach out to the chosen recipient through this connection. The two will then determine a pickup location. Oftentimes, the item is left on the giver’s doorstep.
Belle said the program is good for both the giver and the recipient.
“It’s so cool. You get all these things for free and you get to give away stuff without driving to the Goodwill.”
The giving is not restricted to goods. Belle said she recently saw a service that piqued her interest.
“This week, a woman is giving away free massages because she’s in massage school. So the group that I’m in, you could send her a message and get a free hour massage.”
The Buy Nothing Project doesn’t allow any exchange of cash. It’s all supposed to be giving and receiving.
If you’re interested in joining a group, you can find one in your area at their website, buynothing.org.
