Facebook Groups Help Making Local Giving (and Receiving) Easy
“Buy Nothing” groups have started popping up on Facebook and people are loving it. It’s not a community bulletin board, or a charity, but these groups in Missoula and across the country are helping neighbors give, receive, share, and lend to one another.
From baby clothes to furniture, you never know what someone might be “gifting” on any given day in your neighborhood! And if you have excess to share with just a couple photos and quick listing, you can find your old items a new home quickly and conveniently. There’s no buying or selling, trades or bartering. Just neighbors helping neighbors reduce their clutter, and reuse items!
The motto is simple: “Buy Nothing. Give Freely. Share creatively.” Nationwide there are over 2,000 groups operating, and four alone in Missoula! But that doesn’t mean you need to join every one. Although some of the groups are newer, or less active at times, each group is intended to by “hyper-local” with connections being made between neighbors. For that reason there are the following groups in Missoula:
One Map of a Missoula “Buy Nothing” neighborhood
These inclusive, locally managed groups have maps helping you find which group you should be in, but admins try to be flexible and work with you if you are borderline or just outside of town. They have been so successful, that the creators of the idea are even working on a customer “sharing” app! Find out more about it here.
Although there are occasionally times that items that are damaged or have outlived their use, for the most part, it is amazing the variety of needs that are fulfilled each week. One thing that makes the “Buy Nothing” groups different from regular sales avenues like Facebook Marketplace, is there is not rule that you have to list items as first come, first serve (unless of course you are in a hurry). Otherwise, it is encouraged to leave the posting up for a day or two so that a variety of people have an opportunity.
Some helpful tips from the group to getting started:
* This is a gifting group, everything is free and people are not asking where to buy things. Please no referrals or links to businesses. Don't offer cash or trades.
* The best way to jump into this group is to start giving! This is a great way to introduce yourself and generate some goodwill.
* You can choose to give your gifts to whoever you choose, for whatever reason. You may choose someone randomly, or in some more creative way. It is nice to leave your offers open for a period of time so that everyone gets a chance to see them and express interest. This is not a first come group, unless the giver chooses to do it that way.
* Please don't PM people asking/begging for them to give you a certain item. This group operates on transparent communication. PMs should only be used to exchange pick-up information.
* Don't be discouraged if you are not picked to receive an item you really want! You are free to post your own requests at any time. You'll get best results if you introduce yourself and explain how the item you are seeking will enhance your life. Please try to avoid impersonal abbreviations (ISO, IDNO etc.).
* There is no need to delete your posts in this group, and for various reasons we prefer that you don't (see files), but it is really helpful if you can edit your post to say it is gifted/received.
* We love posts of gratitude! It makes everyone feel good to see that people appreciate the gifts they receive