Baby, Child, and Maternity Swap, Hillsboro, July 31st 2021

Come join the swapping fun this summer! Exchange your baby, child, and maternity clothes for new-to-you and right-sized kids clothes! This event will be OUTSIDE at Hillsboro Presbyterian Church. Bring a mask, hat, and sun screen as there won’t be much shade.

When: Saturday July 31st, 10am-11am

Where: Hillsboro Presbyterian Church, 172 NE 32nd Ave, Hillsboro, OR 97124

What: Please bring kid items to swap AND/OR one or more non-perishable food items for the Oregon Food Bank. Of course, nobody will be turned away regardless of what you bring or don’t bring.

You may arrive as early as 9:40am to set things out. However, WE ASK THAT ONCE YOU HAVE PLACED YOUR ITEMS, STEP ASIDE UNTIL 10AM. We want everyone to have a fair chance at getting what ever comes and getting some nice things. You will NOT be allowed to create a stack of new finds prior to 10AM.

VOLUNTEERS WILL BE NEEDED TO:
1) Help set up tables and label them (around 9:15AM).
2) Help direct people as they come in and place items of those who come at the last minute. (These should be people who are there to give more than to receive items).
3) Pack up the left overs for donation (11AM-12PM)
4) Help put the tables away once the packing is done.
5) Take a load for donation.

Here are the details on what you can bring:
Bring gently-used gear and clothes: maternity and sizes premie up to size 10.
Items may include (but not limited to):
clothing
socks and tights
shoes
coats, hats, sunglasses and other accessories
cloth diapers and diaper covers or unused disposables that no longer fit your baby
maternity clothing, nursing bras (NO REGULAR WOMEN’S CLOTHES)
baby gear (blankets, strollers, carriers, slings, baby care items, legal carseats and furniture, etc.)
mama gear (nursing pillows, pumps, etc.)
toys
books (both for baby and parenting books)
games
It helps to sort your clothing beforehand in these categories:
• Newborn to 3 months
• 6-9 months
• 12 months
• 18 months
• 24 mo/2T
• 3T
• 4T
• 5T
• 6-7
• 8-10
• Maternity
• Bathing
• Feeding
• Diapering
• Gear
• Toys/fun
• Books
• Shoes/socks
• Hats/hair

There are no limits to how much to bring or take, we just ask that you take only what you need. Please bring something to carry home all of your new-to-you finds! Any leftover items will be donated to Northwest Children’s Outreach
http://www.northwestchildrensoutreach.org/ 

All Size All Age Clothing Swap, North Portland, July 17th

When: Saturday, July 17th from 2-5pm Where: Kenton Church Parking Lot at 2115 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97217 What: All Age/ All Size Clothing Swap In March 2020, the Free Clothing Exchange took a pause due to COVID-19. Since then volunteers have been supplying our neighbors with clothing. It has been a gift to continue to meet needs in our community through your clothing contributions. With the restrictions lifting, the first outdoor exchange will be Saturday, July 17th. Please note that it will be on a Saturday in the church parking lot.  We are asking all volunteers and exchangers to follow CDC guidelines. The current guidelines are unless you are fully vaccinated, you should wear a mask and keep a social distance of 6 feet. How it works:  Receiving Clothing No donation is required to receive clothing Please take clothing for your own household only Clothing may not be taken for resale Donating Clothing Do not drop off clothes ahead of time or try to leave them at Kenton Church Donations will only be accepted during the hours of the exchange Please sort and hang your own donations. Volunteers are available to help you sort and hang your donations Place donations on racks by sizePlease…no dirty or damaged donations There is no requirement that you donate to take part in the exchange. Bring a friend and we will see you there.

HELP OUT AT THE EXCHANGE!

In order to volunteer for our first outdoor event you must sign up ahead of time. 

Volunteers will need to arrive at 12:30pm Saturday, July 17th to help set up and stay until about 5:45pm and help put things away. If you’d like to be help, please reserve your spot here.

Unvaccinated volunteers must wear a mask. Vaccinated or unvaccinated…please stay home if you’re feeling sick. We appreciate your help and care for the well being of your fellow exchangers.

Where can I get vaccinated? Text your zip code to 438829

All Size Clothing Swap, SE Portland, June 6th 2021

Get ready to “shop” till you drop! This clothing swap offers garments of all sizes and styles just waiting for their new homes.

WHEN

June 6, 2021 from 11 AM to 4 PM. 

WHERE

Formation Studios
5514 SE Foster Road, Portland, Oregon, 97206.

WHAT TO BRING

To get into the event, you will need:

• A mask
• A donation of gently used clothing OR a $20 entry ticket (which will be donated to a TBD local charity)

It’s recommended to also bring:

• A bag to place your newfound treasures in
• An outfit that makes trying on clothing easy, such as a layering top, leggings, and socks
• A water bottle to help stay hydrated
• Friends/family to “shop” with!

WHAT TO EXPECT

 Step inside the dance studio and see a massive amount of clothing! We’ve been collecting and sorting donations the past few weeks and already have multiple carloads of items in all sizes, including a high amount of plus sized clothing. Some items even still have their original tags and have been never worn!

Clothing will be sorted by garment type and placed in various piles, shelves, and racks. Simply wander the rooms, look over the garments, and take what you like. There is no limit and we hope all of these items find new homes!

Items include:

• Tops, jackets, and coats
• Shorts, pants, and jeans
• Skirts, dresses, rompers, and overalls
• Shoes, scarves, and hats

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

​How Do I Donate Clothing For This Event?There are three ways to donate:

1. Drop-Off Before The Event. Coordinate a drop-off at Formation Studios before the event. Contact the studio owner (email: formationstudiospdx@gmail.com or Instagram: @formationstudiospdx) to check that she will be around when you want to drop off.
2. Drop-Off At The Event. Bring your unwanted clothing with you to the event. Our volunteers will take your bag and get it sorted while you “shop”.
3. Pickup Before The Event. Coordinate a pickup from your house. I’m doing a few dedicated pickup days before the event. Contact me (email: from.our.closets.pnw@gmail.com or Instagram: fromourclosetspnw) to find out the upcoming days and times.

What Can I Donate?Gently-used clothings and shoes. If someone wouldn’t purchase it at a second-hand store, leave it behind. So bring along that shirt you only wore a handful of times, but leave behind those stained, ripped, and worn out shorts.​What If I Don’t Have Donations, But Don’t Want To Pay The Ticket Fee?You can:

1. ​Volunteer for the event. We have so much clothing to sort before and during the event. Help us sort garments and get the ticket fee waived. Contact Formation Studios to coordinate volunteering. You can volunteer before the event or during the event – or both! Volunteers also get first dibs on any treasures they find while sorting, so you may get some garments before the event even starts.
2. Gather up donations. Ask friends, family, or neighbors in your local Buy Nothing Facebook group. Tons of folks have unwanted garments they’d be happy to donate. Pick them up and bring them to the event as your donation.

Can I Bring My Child/Children?Sure! Just know that we won’t have any dedicated toys/playrooms/sitters available.What Happens To Unclaimed Clothing At The End Of The Event?Our goal is to get every item to a new owner. We will be donating leftovers to help meet local need. We already have a few contacts for folks who, for example, hand out clothing to individuals experiencing homelessness. But we are always accepting suggestions for where to donate. If you would like to pickup leftovers and take to your favorite charity/cause/etc, find out more information here ​or contact Formation Studios to coordinate.I Love This Idea – How Can I Help?There are many ways to get involved:

• Spread The Word. The more people who know about the event, the better. Pass along the information to friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, anyone who you think might be interested in attending.
• Volunteer To Sort Clothing. The more sorting we can do in advance, the easier it will be for everyone to “shop” the various sections. Volunteers can help out before the event or during the event.
• Pickup donations. Contact those in your network to see if they have unwanted items, then pick them up and bring them to the studio or the event.
• Lend Items. We would love to borrow clothing racks (for hanging clothes) and room dividers (for temporary changing rooms). We can return the items the day of the swap after we’ve wrapped everything up.
• Help Distribute Leftovers. We expect some leftovers after the event. Volunteers can take garments to local charities and individuals in need, getting the unwanted garment to its next home.

I Can’t Make It To This Event – When Is The Next One?We hope this will be the first of many clothing swaps! The next one will tentatively be Fall 2021. If you’d like to be notified of the next swap, contact me (email: from.our.closets.pnw@gmail.com or Instagram: fromourclosetspnw) and I’ll be sure to let you know as soon as the date gets chosen. I will only contact you to let you know about the next swap, no sales or marketing messages!

from https://fromourclosetspnw.weebly.com/clothing-swap-6621.html?fbclid=IwAR2yk0u4Q76l7E6KtAXpXikk2DN7bhpPZnTXQpbxron0l9G-852s7GYjD1I

Transgender and Non-Binary Clothing & Accessories Swap, North Portland, February 24th

Brave Space is hosting a Free Store for clothing, accessories, and pet food! February 24th, 2021 from 10am to 12pm in the Q Center parking lot: 4115 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217. This event is open to anyone in the transgender and non-binary community.

Social Distance Guidelines:
Please be prepared to be outdoors, wait in line, stand or sit 6 feet apart from other guests, and wear a mask and gloves (provided).

Clothes being offered at this event have been washed and in storage for 2 weeks or more. We will be wearing gloves and masks when preparing items for the event, as well as when we are at the event.

* This event is outdoors only.
* All visitors and staff will be asked to wear a mask for the duration of their time at the event. We have disposable masks for folks who do not have one upon arrival.
* Designated spaces for waiting in line and browsing for items will be at least6 feet apart. Up to 4 people will be permitted to browse at once, to allow for6 feet of distance between browsers.
* Limited seating will be available for guests who need to sit while they wait.
* Visitors will have an opportunity to sanitize their hands and be provided with disposable vinyl or nitrile gloves before browsing. At least one of these safety measures is required before browsing (i.e. visitors who cannot wear gloves will be asked to use hand sanitizer).
* Visitors will be provided with paper and/or plastic grocery bags for carrying items (grocery bags have been in storage for 2 weeks or more).

If you are unable to attend any events and are in need of clothes, shoes, and/or accessories, please email Cameron atcameron@bravespacellc.com

Transgender and Nonbinary Clothing, Accessories, and Pet Food Free Store/Swap, SE Portland, November 15th

Brave Space is hosting a Free Store for clothing, accessories, and pet food! November 15, 2020 from 12pm to 2pm in the Brave Space parking lot: 3620 SE Powell Blvd. This event is open to anyone in the transgender and nonbinary community.

Social Distance Guidelines:
Please be prepared to be outdoors, wear a mask and gloves (provided), and stand or sit 6 feet apart from other guests.

Want to donate to this event? Check out our website for more info: BraveSpaceLLC.com/ClothingCloset

Adult All Size/All Gender Clothing Swap, SE Portland, October 8th

Time is 6pm -6:30pm so you can swap in the light, day change so Alexandra can host this swap!

Outdoor free Clothing Swap for All Size/Gender adults …Thursday, 6pm at Woodstock park, October 8th!

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:   6pm unless it’s cold, rainy, smokey. 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.

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!   

For more information contact Alexandra at https://www.facebook.com/groups/267181703349196/.  SE PDX XS-M Women’s Clothing Swap.

All Sizes/All Genders Adult Clothing Swap, SE Portland, October 2nd

Free Clothing swap in the park!

All Sizes/Genders …Friday at the NW corner of Woodstock park,  starting at 6pm (since it’s getting dark earlier we moved the time up an hour-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:   6pm Fridays unless it’s cold, rainy, smokey, 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/

All Size Fall and Winter Clothing Swap and Pop-up Free Store, NE Portland, October 3rd

This Saturday, October 3, Dont Shoot Portland is hosting a clothing drive and free store at 18 NE Killingsworth!

“Free Clothing Drive with Dont Shoot PDX
Give & Take

Clean-Gently used and new accepted
Fall + Winter clothing preferred
All sizes please

Free food & drinks

Saturday October 3rd
12pm – 5pm
18 NE Killingsworth”

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