| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| JessieMae |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 08:12:49 AM
The weirdest thing happened to me today: I was unloading the dishwasher and thinking of all the dishes I have that I don't use when the following poem popped into my head:
Times are getting tough.
We know this, indeed.
We've been very blessed,
We have all that we need.
So we're having a free store
For those feeling the squeeze.
We feel it is better to give
Than receive.
Our house is full of stuff we don't use, and we're always saying we should have a big garage sale, but frankly we're too lazy to drag everything out to the yard, price it all, and sit there all day making change. It seems like a really big hassle. But the idea came to me today that I could literally just drag some tables out to the yard, put the stuff we don't need out there, and if people want it, they're welcome to it!
Has anyone ever done anything like this before? I've got 2 concerns: 1-That someone will think we've won the lottery and break in at night, looking for money, and kill me in my sleep, and 2-what if people start fighting over something? My husband suggested we talk to our church and see if they want to get involved, but I'm not sure that will happen. I could see our church bring up a lot of caveats, and I really want to get this done between Thanksgiving and Christmas. A lot of people here locally are hurting, and they might be able to use the dishes, microwave, and vacuum cleaners for the holidays!
Any advice is much, much appreciated.
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Celticheart |
Posted - Dec 08 2008 : 9:27:14 PM
Our church has a great project they've been doing this time of year for about 10 years now. It's Christmas for a Quarter. All the items are donated, everything is a quarter and it all goes to charity(missions I think). And it's almost all nice things, no junk. Kids love it for Christmas shopping.
"Nature always has the last laugh." Mrs. Greenthumbs
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| therealshari |
Posted - Nov 26 2008 : 08:53:45 AM
We're sorting through our "food cache" right now, and will be re-distributing them. We only share things that are still well within the "best if used by" date, rather than the old stuff. That feeds our chickens a little at a time.
The gal who runs the local food drop also knows folks who can use clothes, and other home needs, so we make sure she gets some of our stuff, too.
Shari Thomas
From the "middle of nowhere" Beryl, Utah. Our farm is nearly complete with 3 horses, 6 ewes, a cow and heifer calf, 19 chickens, 5 dogs and four country gals. I blog about it at http://sharithomas.com |
| vermont v |
Posted - Nov 25 2008 : 3:40:41 PM
The free sign with a pile of stuff in the yard is a Vermont tradition. That's where I got my latest muffin tins. Our neighbor put a big pile of stuff out this summer and we enjoyed watching it disappear over a week's time. Our across the street neighbor put out a computer desk with a free sign in has yard last summer and we took bets on when it would get picked up. It took less than ten minutes for the thrilled new owner to get a furniture find! |
| barnagainkristin |
Posted - Nov 24 2008 : 7:09:26 PM
We have had good results putting larger items on the curb with a free sign on them. One night we put out our sofa sleeper with a free sign and a man stopped who could barely speak english. He knocked on the door and wanted to make sure he understood that he didn't have to pay. He looked like he had tears in his eyes and was so excited. We have put several items out at once and they have been taken a few at a time but never all at once. I usually take smaller items to our local thrift store since they sort through and sell some but the rest goes to third world countries in need. Good Luck and let us know what you decide and how it works out. Nice of you to think of others who are not so fortunate.
barnagainkristin |
| MsCwick |
Posted - Nov 24 2008 : 09:25:25 AM
When DH and I moved into our house 4 years ago in january, it was fully furnished. (with lots of old funky thinkgs from the 80s) So we called around and found a family whose house had burned down and they were very thankful for two twin beds, some chairs, and some ugly curtains.
I think contacting a church would be a good thing because they always know who is in need, and that would make sure your blessings fall into the right hands. It's nice to set things out ont he table, but some people are too humble to take free things from others. and There are people who won't be by your house to know that it's there to take.
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| City Chick |
Posted - Nov 24 2008 : 04:16:35 AM
We used to do a clothing exchange at our church every fall. We'd ask everyone to bring any outgrown clothing that they no longer needed. Then we'd sort it by size. The basement of our church was often bursting with clothing - which often started to include other items. We would invite the community to join us. The newspaper would run a free ad for us, the village would post it on the cable tv network - we received all sorts of free advertisements. The people that came was amazing! So many benefited from our free clothing exchange. (Plus we were able to weed out our closets at the same time.)
It was a great ministry for our community.
http://www.xanga.com/My_Pondering_Place |
| Past Blessings |
Posted - Nov 23 2008 : 10:56:58 PM
Funny you should bring this up . . . I just did this a couple weeks ago. After closing my shop, I still have so many wonderful things, but it is overtaking us. So I had a "free garage sale" and invited several friends to come and pick out teapots, vases, what-nots, etc. I still have a storage unit full of furniture, but that is a whole other story . . .
One of the gals that I let "shop" is in a very bad financial situation. Her husband is out of work and their daughter just moved back home with a baby. So it was nice to let her take some fun things that she could never afford on her own. It was fun letting everyone shop, they were thrilled and when it was done, I literally had one little box to take to Goodwill. Ron might just get his garage after all . . . the silly man keeps hinting that garages are for cars or some such foolish idea . . .
Hugs & blessings,
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
| Mother Hen |
Posted - Nov 23 2008 : 7:33:19 PM
Jessie, you sound like you really want families in need especially during the holidays to be beneficiaries of you extra stuff. Maybe you could check with the local fire dept, churches, schools, and community service agencies to see what families are really in need and give it to them that way. Or, while I was typing this I thought, If you have the time, find out where they will give out toys for tots and see if they would let you drop off your items there for the parents to p/u when getting toys for their kids. Just a thought.
Bless you for being so generous.
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 |
| melanie47601 |
Posted - Nov 23 2008 : 6:30:33 PM
I've seen people sit stuff out on the side of the road with a free sign. I've never done this one. I use Freecycle alot. I've never felt threatened by anyone who picked up the things I was offering. They have always been very grateful and kind. I just heard about a local church hosting a "free stuff" event this past weekend. The members of the church brought in a bunch of their unwanted items to the basement and invited the public to come in and get whatever they wanted. As far as I know, no major fist fights broke out. I thought that was just really nice. I've never seen a church around here really offer anything for free. We had one that had a clothing bank at one time. But usually the churches only host yard sales.
Melanie
Shop~ http://www.squidoo.com/buyinghomemade
Blog~ http://wheelsarealwaysturning.blogspot.com/ |
| emsmommy5 |
Posted - Nov 23 2008 : 2:52:57 PM
I have done most of all the suggestions. I have given things to charity, used craiglist and freecycle, had garage sales, and put things on the curb. I usually put things on the curb like a chair, table or other piece of furniture that alot of the charities in our area don't take without driving it yourself to one of the big centers. I don't have time or energy for this and I figure if people want it and can use it, then picking it up off the curb is charity too. At least it is OUT of my house and that is the orginal point for me anyway. I don't like the cragilist/freecycle as much because it has proven to be a hassle most of the time. I sya do what you feel comfy with and who ever it is that gets the items are going to benefit!
Farmgirl #208
What are you doing with your dash? |
| junkjunkie |
Posted - Nov 23 2008 : 04:36:53 AM
It's funny that you posted this....right now I'm posting a television on Freecycle.com. I just joined and I've got a lot of responses for the tv. I can't see having it thrown out, as it works just fine and I'd rather have someone else enjoy it than have it dumped somewhere. I know it was already mentioned, but it's a great site and people just give anything away. Also, if you're looking for something, you can post a 'wanted' for that item. Pretty cool!
"To have life in focus, we must have death in our field of vision." Benedictine monk John Main |
| rabbithorns |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 8:15:10 PM
I have a favorite thrift store that I love to give to in Tucson. It's church run ( a collection of churches) and all volunteer. And all the money goes to families in need, unwed mothers, that sort of thing.
I don't mind giving to other thrift stores, but this one does so much direct service and all the folks there are so gracious and friendly. They're terribly small, but they also sell things at incredibly low prices - and only decent things. So it's easy to want to shop there too.
And it's nice to just be there because the volunteers seem so happy to be there to help people - the customers, the folks they benefit, God - it's all so wonderful! I didn't know about it for a couple of years after moving there; they are so understated. Maybe there's a nice place like that in every town. Just takes some looking.
http://www.rabbithorns.etsy.com |
| Laura Marie |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 6:15:31 PM
Hi Jessie!
I think everyone has covered everything you could think of. I live in LA and people always have stuff out on the curb. Whether its good or not. Take a look at it and take it if you want it. I know people who find some really cool stuff. I have always found interesting items. Hope you figure out something to do with all of your stuff. Maybe find a family in the area that is in need of stuff and adopt them and help them out this Holiday season. I have a feeling it's going to be a tough year!
Laura Marie #369
lauramariedesign.com
"It's not the size of the farm but the size of your heart!" |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 2:57:45 PM
I've given lots of things we didn't need to our church yard sales to raise money for mission trips for our teens. They always come get it all, too. So I never had to box things up. They did it all.
My mom works for a women's abuse center and shelter in Statesboro, Ga. They are always getting donations which are very much needed. Also Habitat comes to pick up, right?
You are right, we have so much and there are so many who have nothing. Sometimes we can't give money, but these things are a great help for people who can't buy them. Great ideas.
Kris |
| Firemama |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 2:35:10 PM
I have had ALOT of luck with craigslist and freecycle. But if you dont want the hassle of people saying they want things and then never show up, I would definatley donate it to a shelter or some kind of outreach.
Mama to 2
FarmGirl# 20
People can only make you feel inferior with your permission, and you dont have my permission......
Dont let the chain of love end with you.....
http://myfarmdreams.blogspot.com/
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| K-Falls Farmgirl |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 2:30:13 PM
I worked for years as the Domestic Violence Services Ccoordinator of a Abused Women &Childrens Shelter. I agree call and ask if they could use the stuff.. Or donate it to a local thrift shop. Our ladies would go to our thrift store and get things they needed when they were strong enough to move out into apartments, Our company owned the thrift store so they got a better than average deal.. . They can use most anything. They may need stuff in the shelter as well..Ours was at confidential location so they picked up donations rather than to have them delivered to the shelter. Thank you for your generosity.
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Cheryl #309
Farm girl sister
Enjoy the little things in life....someday you'll look back and realize they were the big things. |
| happymama58 |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 12:57:40 PM
You've gotten the same ideas I was thinking of plus some -- freecycle, women's shelter, putting a few things out at a time, etc. Another thing you could do that a friend of mine back in New Mexico did -- she called a couple of church youth groups and told them she had some stuff that would be appropriate for a yard sale or ebay but that she didn't want to mess with it. She offered the items to these youth groups. One jumped at the chance and took off with the idea. They asked other people for similar items, and after collecting quite a bit of stuff, they held a garage sale and used the proceeds to go on a mission trip to help rebuild a community center in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. (this was several years ago)
Good luck in getting rid of your stuff. I'm doing the same thing but have opened an ebay store and slowly but surely listing things.
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
Please email me for all your BeautiControl needs! |
| Ronna |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 12:28:14 PM
Are there not Freecycle people in your area? I've given and gotten lots of good things from freecycle. Post what you have to give away and either give to the first response or wait and choose someone. I believe they're all Yahoo groups and in many towns all over.
I seldom have yard sales (husband does not like strangers here looking at what we have), but always do a free box for kids and another for adults. I do think next time I will have the sign read "free with purchase", as there are a few around here who will take everything and not spend a dime. If I thought they needed it, fine, but not for them to turn around and sell. |
| kpaints |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 12:19:22 PM
You hillbilly farm girls are soooooo funny, you made me laugh ...I love it. I use to flip house when the market was better and I use to buy places that were trashed and or trashed. As in trash everywhere including full house full of furniture. These houses were in the country and I would just set stuff out by the road usually with a free sign and it would disappear over night. Never during the day mind you, just at night. People are funny. Anyway, I would just put it out in small doses. I also like the women shelter idea and when my son died I give it to one. It made me feel good that women would be helped. I get tired of the Goodwill etc that puts huge price tags on this stuff. Although you don't see too many of the poor in the stores, mostly middle class. At least they give jobs to those in real need. And hopefully the poor are helped with the money collected.
Find your joy and live it. http://cheneybaglady.blogspot.com/http://www.kpaints.etsy.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 12:17:42 PM
We have a local "Freecycle" on Yahoo where you can list things you don't want any more. You can then meet at your house, their house or even a neutral public location to give away your items. I also like donating to church or senior center thrift stores or even to salvation army.
In Moscow, ID where I used to live, every time we moved and we didn't want to haul stuff clear across town to the thrift stores we would put things on the curb with a "free" sign on them and most everything got taken right away.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| therealshari |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 09:49:08 AM
We're cleaning and sorting our stuff out here. What we don't want goes to our local Senior Center where they turn around and sell stuff for a quarter or fifty cents a piece. Our Senior Center keeps that money to help with their activities, and if someone is in need, then often it's purchased by a senior and given to someone else.
Shari Thomas
From the "middle of nowhere" Beryl, Utah. Our farm is nearly complete with 3 horses, 6 ewes, a cow and heifer calf, 19 chickens, 5 dogs and four country gals. I blog about it at http://sharithomas.com |
| bohemiangel |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 09:29:50 AM
Belle, guess what song came on as I typed this? Redneck Woman by Gretchen Wilson :-D
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggybitsandpieces.blogspot.com/
http://ligonierliving.blogspot.com/
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| bohemiangel |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 09:28:20 AM
Well that's what I'm picturing hahaha I mean I might as well put other things on our tiny front porch.....if I could get pics to upload on my bleepaty bleep blog then you could judge for yourself. AND I'd rather have a clothes washer thats an antique. I'd love that hehe
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggybitsandpieces.blogspot.com/
http://ligonierliving.blogspot.com/
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| Bellepepper |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 09:23:44 AM
Bridget, I think it is only hillbilly when you have a cloths washer on the front porch, and using it. LOL |
| bohemiangel |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 09:03:28 AM
Yeah I always toy with that idea too! DO IT! I don't think you'll be murdered honey! We'll all pray for your safety!! We have an air conditioner right now (old huge bulky one) I HATE IT and we have to get it to the curb so someone can take it but its so darn heavy its on our porch (yes a lil hillbilly like oh well) hehe actually we have a colonial looking house and then the air conditioner on the porch tee hee.
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggybitsandpieces.blogspot.com/
http://ligonierliving.blogspot.com/
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