CANCELLED DUE TO AIR CONDITIONS All Size/Gender Free Clothing Swap, SE Portland, September 11, 2020

DUE TO HAZARDOUS AIR CONDITIONS IN PORTLAND, THE ALL SIZE/GENDER CLOTHING SWAP HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR SEPTEMBER 11TH.  SWAP HOSTS WILL BE WATCHING WEATHER REPORTS AND REEVALUATE FOR UPCOMING FRIDAY FREE OUTDOOR SWAPS.

Check the facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/267181703349196/  facebook page for updates.

Stay safe!

Neighborhood Outdoor Free Swaps During Covid

Many of us are downsizing and de-cluttering. Some because we have the time on our hands and it’s enjoyable, some preparing to move to a smaller place, some because kids/families are growing and we don’t need/fit the items anymore.

At this same time, many of the places we usually drop off our de-cluttering donations are not accepting donations at this time, and indoor Free Swapping activities are mostly on hold. Where can we put all our de-cluttered stuff?

How about a Neighborhood Outdoor Free Swap? For an example, we live in a walkable neighborhood where there is lots of foot traffic. I’ve strung a line between our street trees and have been hanging up clothes I no longer need/use love, with a ‘free’ sign. I also have a large cardboard box in the parking strip with a ‘free’ sign. It’s fun to watch neighbors walk by and look through the goodies, and see the joy on their faces as they take things they can use/repurpose. If you are in a more rural area, having a ‘free neighborhood swap’ might do the same thing by having families bring items they have decluttered to a central location.

My husband and I go on evening walks through our neighborhood. I’ve noticed that more neighbors have started putting out ‘free’ boxes in their parking strips now. Some have hung clothes from the branches of their trees. Others have laid items out on their front lawns with free sign and arrow. It makes walks through the neighborhood feel like a scavenger hunt! It also keeps usable items out of the landfill, and occasionally allows some social distancing neighborhood visits.

Right now it’s beautiful, sunny, warm weather. However, when it gets rainy, cardboard free boxes and clothes hanging in trees won’t work. But this fun activity can last longer if we bring in the items if rain is in the forecast, and put them back out when it’s sunny. As long as neighbors are walking their dogs, walking in the neighborhood, then this will work. When we are in our homes keeping dry and warm will be the time to pack in the idea. Maybe by then there will be a Covid vaccine and we can begin inside free swaps again?

Many of us have appreciated the added free frugal entertainment of Neighborhood Outdoor Free Swaps during this strange time, having something simple we can do together that combines community building, de-cluttering, and treasure hunting fun.

Barb Hughes

All Size/All Gender Adult Clothing Swap, SE Portland, Fridays until it rains/is too cold and dark

The Friday outdoor clothing swap was a huge success! Thanks to all who came, & for our mighty lil sharing community!😊❤🧡

Swap hosts Shay and Alexandra are expanding the outdoor free Clothing Swap to include All Sizes/Genders …every Friday at the NW corner of Woodstock park,  starting at 7pm until it starts raining and/or gets cold and dark. (Details below)

This is a free event, and we ask that you bring clothing items that are clean and in good condition, and read/follow the important instructions below.

When:   7pm Fridays until it’s cold, rainy, or dark. Check the facebook page before coming to make sure the swap is on.

Where:  Outside at Woodstock Park at the corner of 47th and Steele Street https://www.portland.gov/parks/woodstock-park

What:  All Size/All Gender Clothing Swap for adults who are kind and considerate!

Important instructions:

All attending must not have a fever, cough, or other covid symptoms.

Masks are required to be worn at all times during the swap.

If you have children they must stay with you at all times.

Please bring a blanket/towel to put your things on in the park in rows,  spacing your blanket/towel at least 10 feet away from other blankets/towels to allow social distancing between.

Bring CLEAN Women’s and Men’s clothing.

Be generous.  Be kind.  Only take what you will personally use or give as gifts.  If two people want the same item and can’t work it out, the person with less items gets it.

When you leave, please take the remainders on your towel/blanket home with you. (Unless you personally talk with Shay or Alexandra at the swap, and bring your items to the volunteer’s car so they can transport to a nonprofit)

 

Many people are going through a big purge right now so this is a fun way to social-distance, as well as give/receive free clothes!   If you’d like to be backup for taking remainders, please contact Shay,  admin on the facebook group SE PDX XS-M Women’s Clothing Swap.

For more information contact Alexandra or Shay at https://www.facebook.com/groups/267181703349196/

 

Women’s All Size Clothing Swap, SE PDX, August 28th

Alexandra and Shay are hosting TWO All Size Women’s Clothing Swaps – one Friday August 21st, and one Friday August 28th! This is a free event, and we ask that you bring clothing items that are clean and in good condition.

When:   7pm Friday August 28th

Where:  Outside at Woodstock Park at the corner of 47th and Steele Street https://www.portland.gov/parks/woodstock-park

What:  All Size Women’s Clothing Swap.

Important instructions:

All attending must not have a fever, cough, or other covid symptoms.

Masks are required to be worn at all times during the swap.

If you have children they must stay with you at all times.

Please bring a blanket/towel to put your things on in the park in rows,  spacing your blanket/towel at least 10 feet away from other blankets/towels to allow social distancing between.

Bring CLEAN Women’s clothing.

When you leave, please take the remainders on your towel/blanket home with you. (Unless you personally talk with Shay at the swap, and bring your items to her car so she can transport to a nonprofit)

For more information contact Alexandra or Shay at https://www.facebook.com/groups/267181703349196/

Women’s All Size Clothing Swap, SE Portland, Friday August 21st

(UPDATE:  Hosts say, if it’s raining Friday August 21st at 7pm, the outdoor swap will be canceled, but please come next Friday, same time and place.)

Woo Hooo!!!!!

Alexandra and Shay are hosting TWO All Size Women’s Clothing Swaps – one Friday August 21st, and one Friday August 28th! This is a free event, and we ask that you bring clothing items that are clean and in good condition.

When:   7pm Friday August 21st, and again Friday August 28th

Where:  Outside at Woodstock Park at the corner of 47th and Steele Street https://www.portland.gov/parks/woodstock-park

What:  All Size Women’s Clothing Swap.

Important instructions:

All attending must not have a fever, cough, or other covid symptoms.

Masks are required to be worn at all times during the swap.

If you have children they must stay with you at all times.

Please bring a blanket/towel to put your things on in the park in rows,  spacing your blanket/towel at least 10 feet away from other blankets/towels to allow social distancing between.

Bring CLEAN Women’s clothing.

Be generous.  Be kind.  Only take what you will personally use or give as gifts.  If two people want the same item and can’t work it out, the person with less items gets it.

When you leave, please take the remainders on your towel/blanket home with you. (Unless you personally talk with Shay at the swap, and bring your items to her car so she can transport to a nonprofit)

For more information contact Alexandra or Shay at https://www.facebook.com/groups/267181703349196/

 

 

 

 

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