Slow Open With Outdoor Swap Requests

We’ve had requests from swappers wanting to start free swapping again. If your area has been approved to re-open for in-person socializing, you may want to consider the following to allow a safer start to free swapping.

If you decide to do an outdoor swap- such as in a parking lot, park, or large outside yard swap- I will post your details on the swap positive site if you send me the following information:

1. swap host(s) name and email/phone contact information.
2. category(ies) you will be swapping (such as women’s size medium, all size/all age, jewelry, etc).
3. location address, day, and time of swap
4. on day of swap, put down your items in piles 6 feet apart.  Then do a round robin where you move around the circle looking at each pile, and taking things that look interesting.
5. promise that all swappers attending wear masks (yes even outside, since we will be closer to each other). And that instead of trying things on, you gather up what you like, and take it home to wash it before trying it on. You can always bring what doesn’t work for you back to the next swap.
6. name of the non-profit you’ll donate your remainders to- and the name of the person who will take them to the location.
7. Only swappers who are NOT ill agree to attend the swap.
8. Only swappers comfortable taking the risk come to the swap.  Each swap host may require you to sign your name and contact information when you arrive at the swap,  in case someone at the swap turns up positive, you can be contacted.

If you decide to host a swap with the above protocol, please send me the details to swappositive@gmail.com and I’ll post it here and on our Swap Positive Google calendar!  Thanks swappers!

Barb Hughes

Donate Clean, In Good Condition Clothing!

If you’ve been spending time at home cleaning out your closets, you can donate your freshly washed, in great condition clothes to help neighborhood families!  Kenton Church has offered to wash and deliver emergency clothing during this Covid-19 pandemic.  I emailed and asked if we free swappers could provide clothes to help. Here’s Zack from The All Size Family Clothing Swap at the Kenton Church with the details:

Hope this finds you well and staying healthy.

Thanks so much for thinking of us. We have already received a few emergency clothing requests that we are working now to fulfill as best we can.

As far as clothing donations go…at this time our core volunteer and all-around superstar Emma Taniguchi is processing and arranging donation logistics to help gift emergency clothing to people.

If you would like to DONATE emergency clothing please let us know what you have to donate through the request form through our website here. We ask that all clothes be in good ready-to-wear shape and thoroughly washed and clean before being donated.

Emma will store and quarantine new donations until we can safely get them into circulation.

Thanks again! We’ll look for any donation emails to come in from the form on our website. Please do not drop off clothes unless it has been pre-arranged through Emma.*

Zack Stack

P.S. click here if you need Free Emergency Clothes

* added information for clarity.

Emergency Free Clothing Available!

Hi Swappers!  The All Size Family Clothing Swap at the Kenton Church is offering to help if you or your family needs clothing! I’ll let them explain:

EMERGENCY CLOTHING RESOURCES

We understand that many people are experiencing a wide range of emotions and needs right now caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. In times like this, we must lean into our community more than before.

The Free Clothing Exchange wants to continue supporting you and your family in this time. If you or someone you know has any emergency clothing needs please submit a request form through our website here.

One of our wonderful volunteers will check our current clothing stock for you to see if we have anything that fits you and your needs. If so, we’ll wash it and arrange a safe, curbside drop off.

As our people power is limited, please use this option only if you are experiencing a critical shortage of clothing resources. Thank you!

MAY EXCHANGE UPDATE

In all likelihood, our May 2020 Exchange will have to be cancelled. This makes us sad too, but we must do what we can to protect our community. We’ll keep you posted through email and on our new Instagram page. Location: Kenton Church Basement
2115 N Lombard Street – 97217

04.04.20 UPDATE: YOU CAN HELP -DONATE CLEAN IN GOOD CONDITION CLOTHES!

If you’ve been cleaning out your closets and want a way to help during this time, you can Donate your freshly washed, in great condition clothes to help neighborhood families!  Here’s Zack from The All Size Family Clothing Swap at the Kenton Church with the details:

Zack for the FCE here. Hope this finds you well and staying healthy.

Thanks so much for thinking of us. We have already received a few emergency clothing requests that we are working now to fulfill as best we can.

As far as clothing donations go…at this time our core volunteer and all-around superstar Emma Taniguchi is processing and arranging donation logistics.

If you would like to DONATE emergency clothing please let us know what you have to donate through the request form through our website here. We ask that all clothes be in good ready-to-wear shape and thoroughly washed and clean before being donated.

Emma will store and quarantine new donations until we can safely get them into circulation.

Thanks again! We’ll look for any donation emails to come in from the form on our website.

Zack Stack

Virtual Potluck/Dinner Visit With the Weils, 6:30pm Wednesdays

Swap Host Bert Fitzgerald of Simone Weil House is temporarily replacing Wednesday open dinner and discussion with a Zoom event (link https://us04web.zoom.us/j/997657809) every Wednesday @6:30pm.

Bring your food to your computer, connect on zoom meet up, and share…

check ins
chewing noises
a reading from Dorothy Day
Lectio Divina
closing comments

Swap host Burt says when the Covid-19 is under control and things get back to ‘normal’, the Wednesday Potluck Open Dinner will be back to its normal location.

Swap host is Bert Fitzgerald, SimoneWeilHouse@gmail.com

For additional details and updates, check the Simone Weil House Facebook Page facebook.com/SimoneWeilHouse

Swaps Cancelled, Time To Spring Clean!

Hi swappers!  Due to the corona virus and social distancing, Free Swaps will be taking a health break until it’s safe for group fun again.  Since you may have time on your hands being at home, feel free to go through your closets and storage and start compiling goodies to bring to free swaps when they start up again!

Another option would be to join your neighborhood Buy Nothing Group.  This is like free swapping, but on a person-to-person gift basis with your neighbors.  You may want to visit online with your gift recipient, and leave items on your porch for pickup.  Another suggestion is you may wish to agree ahead of time to wash/sanitize the object before gifting and after receiving. Just some options.

Thank you for being a part of this community of free frugal fun!  Please take care of yourself.  Be safe.

In appreciation,

Barb Hughes, Founder, Swap Positive

 

CANCELLED Women’s Petite To Medium Clothing Swap, SE Portland, March 20th

CANCELLED Note from venue:  The Community Room is closed to the public until further notice.
Share and receive awesome clothes! Women’s XS to Medium (approx size 0-8) – Clean out your closet, gather all the clothes in good condition that you don’t wear or want: Include accessories like shoes, hats, belts, purses, jewelry, etc. (but please: no ‘stuff’, used make-up, or undergarments). Arrive early and please limit to good quality – no rips or stains, or grease. If you have larger sizes or kids sizes, please take them to the correct swap for those sizes.

What: FREE Women’s Size Small to Medium (approx 0-8) Clothing Swap

Where: People’s Food Coop 3029 SE 21st avenue, Portland OR 97202 503.232.9051

When: March 20th, (the third Friday) 7pm Upstairs Community Room

You can also receive swap notifications through the

CANCELLED: All Size Family Clothing Swap, Kelso, March 18

03.12.20 The South Kelso Neighborhood Association is no longer hosting a Monthly Free Community Clothing Swap/Give-away.

However, they DO have a clothing bank that is open Mondays 5-7pm, and Saturdays 10am-noon.

You can also bring your clean and in good condition clothing donations  (all sizes, ages, and genders).

Please contact 360-747-7240 or kelsoneighborhood@gmail.com for more information.

CANCELLED: Potluck/Open Dinner, NE Portland, March 18th

Swap host Burt says this week’s event is cancelled.  Bert will let us know details and keep us updated about future potluck dinners as well.

Meet new people and share good food! Drop in on the Wednesday Potluck Open Dinner, every Wednesday at 6:30pm. Bring something to share! Come to chat, share food, build relationships. We’re also gathering clothes and working on having a clothing closet and place people can do laundry in our basement. I expect that will be ready for weekly use in 3 weeks (approx mid February)

When: Every Wednesday, starting at 6:30pm

Where: 5311 NE 15th Ave, Portland, OR 97211-4905

Swap host is Bert Fitzgerald, SimoneWeilHouse@gmail.com

For additional details and updates, check the Simone Weil House Facebook Page facebook.com/SimoneWeilHouse

CANCELLED: The Trans and Queer Clothing Swap is Postponed until April 5th

The Trans and Queer Clothing Swap has been postponed until April 5th.   More information here  https://www.facebook.com/events/1075183526175626/

CANCELLED: RSVP for the 15th Annual Spring Stuff Swap, Happening April 11th 2020!

03.17.20 It is with a heavy heart that we must cancel the April 2020 Stuff Swap. The Multnomah County Health Department has declared a statewide emergency and the health and safety of our swappers is of the utmost importance. Thank you for understanding the seriousness of this cancelation. Stay safe and stay healthy.

-The Swap Positive Team

NOTE:  We will plan as if this swap will happen, and will be watching the health news.  If needed we will notify by email those who have RSVP’d, and also post on this site by April 8th if we need to cancel.  Swaps are all about free frugal fun – we want to swap THINGS, not ILLNESSES!  Thank you for your understanding!

RSVP NOW for the 15th Annual Spring Stuff Swap April 11th 2020!  Combine spring cleaning, sustainability, philanthropy, treasure hunting, and free frugal fun with like-minded friends! Your home will be less cluttered, your in-good-condition stuff will be loved by someone else, you’ll find new-to-you items you CAN use!  This Swaps remainders are being gifted to the local charity The HIV Day Center which GIVES them away, not sells them- so your generosity keeps giving! Be a part of the saving$, recycling, treasure hunting, philanthropy, and good karma flowing around!  If you’ve never been to a free gift or stuff swap, see one in action here.

Due to space constraints YOU MUST GET ON THE GUEST LIST TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE AT THIS SWAP (RSVP form link below), and read and agree to the swap guidelines