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Across the Fence: Has anyone ever done a free store? |
JessieMae
True Blue Farmgirl
702 Posts
Jessie
Raleigh
North Carolina
USA
702 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 08:12:49 AM
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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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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 08:24:13 AM
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I live in a rural area and people around here do that all the time. We just put something out down by the road with a free sign on it and it's usually gone. I don't know how much you have, but maybe put out a little at a time. And rest assured, I haven't heard of any freebie connected murders! I think your generosity will be greatly appreciated. What a great idea! Good luck... |
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momshopsalotta
True Blue Farmgirl
232 Posts
Connie
Hertford
NC
USA
232 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 08:29:18 AM
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Your generosity is admirable, you must be a kind and giving person. If you put your unwanted items outside with a free sign on it some idiot is going to come by and take everything, just for the sake of getting it first (may sound like a pessimistic thought but I've seem it happen). I would find the nearest abused women shelter or hotline and call them. Get everything together and give it to an organization of women who had to leave their belongings and literaly have nothing to re-establish homes for themselves and their children. They would love and need mismatched plates,cups, etc. Whatever you do, you are to be commended. Have a blessed holiday season. |
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marjean
True Blue Farmgirl
3851 Posts
Marsha
Deltona
FL
USA
3851 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 08:42:21 AM
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I agree with Connie, I know a women who had to go to an abuse shelter. Now, she takes any left over garage sale items to the shelter near her. Or, if there is a charity for low income families in your area you can donate it to them too. We always set out unneeded furniture or other items and it is gone within a few days. If you use www.craigslist.com for your state and area there is a free listing and people list it as "curb alert free stuff". IT is free to list also.
Marjean
Farmgirl sister #308 handmade cards and jewelry at www.jeanpatchbymk.etsy.com jeanpatch.wordpress.com www.stores.ebay.com/funfamilybargains |
Edited by - marjean on Nov 22 2008 08:43:28 AM |
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 08:53:14 AM
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A friend of a friend bought a sm building in a downtown that had seen better days. She is going to garage sales and buying stuff, cleaning it up and putting it in her resale shop. I ask her to come by and take a look at some stuff that I had in the storage shed. You know, for the garage sale that we were going to have someday. She started loading up her car and as she carried stuff out of the shed, we agreed on a price. She loaded her car and didn't make a dent in the stuff in the storage shed. Then she wrote me a check. I plan to use the money to help a family whose baby has been in the hospital for 8 months. Looking forward to the friend to come load her car again. |
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 08:53:23 AM
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People here do that too. They put stuff on a table, and put a sign with it that says FREE. Last time i saw a big crate of apples, they had bags next to it, so you could fill a bag with apples and just take it for free. I never saw that where I used to live! And I guess in my old town it would have become a fight and people taking it all. But not here, people just take a bag and that's it. I also sometimes see little items with a free sign.
Tery good idea, IMO!
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog: http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Again new creations added, too cute lol. Come and check it out!! http://princess-of-pink-creations.blogspot.com/
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 09:03:28 AM
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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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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 09:23:44 AM
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Bridget, I think it is only hillbilly when you have a cloths washer on the front porch, and using it. LOL |
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 09:28:20 AM
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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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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
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therealshari
True Blue Farmgirl
235 Posts
Shari
Beryl
UT
USA
235 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 09:49:08 AM
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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 |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 12:17:42 PM
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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 |
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kpaints
True Blue Farmgirl
1564 Posts
karen
cheney
wa
1564 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 12:19:22 PM
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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 |
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Ronna
True Blue Farmgirl
1891 Posts
Ronna
Fernley
NV
USA
1891 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 12:28:14 PM
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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. |
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happymama58
True Blue Farmgirl
1210 Posts
Patti
Missouri
USA
1210 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 12:57:40 PM
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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! |
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K-Falls Farmgirl
Chapter Leader
2096 Posts
Cheryl
Klamath Falls
Oregon
USA
2096 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 2:30:13 PM
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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. |
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Firemama
True Blue Farmgirl
1731 Posts
Amanda
Medical Lake
WA
USA
1731 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 2:35:10 PM
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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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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 2:57:45 PM
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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 |
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Laura Marie
True Blue Farmgirl
419 Posts
Laura
Rancho Cordova
California
USA
419 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 6:15:31 PM
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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!" |
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rabbithorns
True Blue Farmgirl
544 Posts
Allison
Fort Scott
KS
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 8:15:10 PM
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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 |
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junkjunkie
True Blue Farmgirl
1306 Posts
Judy
Lawrenceville
NJ
USA
1306 Posts |
Posted - Nov 23 2008 : 04:36:53 AM
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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 |
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - Nov 23 2008 : 2:52:57 PM
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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? |
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melanie47601
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Melanie
Boonville
IN
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Nov 23 2008 : 6:30:33 PM
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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/ |
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Mother Hen
True Blue Farmgirl
604 Posts
Cindy
Peck
ID
USA
604 Posts |
Posted - Nov 23 2008 : 7:33:19 PM
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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 |
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Past Blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Brenda
Orchard Prairie
WA
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Nov 23 2008 : 10:56:58 PM
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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. |
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
Posted - Nov 24 2008 : 04:16:35 AM
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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 |
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Across the Fence: Has anyone ever done a free store? |
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