Group Sparks community spirit
Buy Nothing and Freeshare member: 'People are hurting'
By Vallejoans, for Vallejoans. No others need join.
Hey, surrounding communities have their own organizations that stress altruism over commercialism.
Buy Nothing and Freeshare Vallejo (Unofficial) is for locals only, emphasizes founder Rebecca Enos.
“We’ve been keeping it Vallejo only because we really want to focus on the community here,” Enos said.
Basically, individuals post items on the group’s Facebook page that they want to donate — furniture, plates, containers, games, and all sorts of things — and participants say if they want it.
The mission, says Enos, is simple: “Help build community, make connections, reduce waste and help those in need.”
Enos had been in an East Bay Buy Nothing group, “but it was so large, it didn’t have the community aspect anymore,” so she
created the Vallejo group about a year ago. Now it’s grown to a manageable 1,300 members.
Count Gina Marr-Hiemstra among the enthusiastic believers.
“This group has been a great way to donate stuff to people in need,” said MarrHiemstra. “However, in the process of getting my donated items out to people, I have seen and heard so many stories about all kinds of things, but overall, there are a lot of people in Vallejo who are hurting. And I know this group has been so helpful to so many.”
Marr-Hiemstra added that she gets joy out of delivering the free items “so I can learn about Vallejo neighborhoods. But most people just put the donated items on their home doorstep or porch, and people come pick the items up.”
“I have learned that some residents are really hurting,” Marr-Hiemstra continued. “They can barely afford the rent, much less have to figure out how to buy basic things like trash bags.”
Some of the stories of helping those in need “are really amazing,” Enos said. “One man had posted that he moved to a Vallejo apartment but had no furniture. “The group was able to furnish his entire house.”
Because of the pandemic, “I think there’s been a lot of depression for a lot of people,” Enos said. “And I think this (Buy Nothing and Freeshare) is a way people connect by meeting new people. It’s taking the focus off the more negative things going on.”
Enos emphasized that “our group leaves politics out, leaves religion out. We treat people with respect. We don’t have a tolerance for harassment or people being rude. That’s not what we’re about.”
There’s also no selling items, no fundraising and no cash requests.
Yes, there’s social distancing because of COVID-19, she said, “but you can still meet your neighbors and still build community even at a distance.”
Enos hopes people realize what they have collecting dust or sitting in a closet could improve the lives of others.
“There are so many generous people reaching out, looking through garages or whatever,” she said. “It’s really about taking care of others.”
Enos noted that it’s not just giving up stuff one doesn’t need any longer. Once a week, she offers free online crochet instruction.
“People are offering free services. It’s more than just items,” she said. “Maybe it’s just free advice, depending on someone’s skill set.”
The needs and requests “really range quite a bit,” Enos said, with food perhaps No. 1.
“I’m hoping we can grow and meet the needs of everyone,” she said.
With three young children, “we’ve given away lots of kids stuff,” said Enos, a Minnesota native and four-year Vallejoan.
“We can take care of each other without taking away from ourselves,” she said. “A lot of us have storage units and sheds packed with stuff we’re not using.”
Reuse and recycle are part of the Buy Nothing and Freeshare mantra, Enos said.
“I live off Broadway (Street) and I’ve seen a lot of stuff being dumped alongside the road like furniture that people can use,” she said. “Driving around, seeing the waste is so sad. Vallejo has so much potential.”
When people feel part of the community “they take care of things around them,” Enos said, adding that her husband “loves it” that she’s involved in Buy Nothing.
“It gives me something positive to do and helps me meet other people,” said Enos. “And he thinks it’s a great cause.”
Oh sure, she added, there are friendly debates whether something should be donated.
“He’ll say, ‘Are you sure you’re not going to use that?’ I think we hold onto a lot of things thinking ‘just in case.’ With this group, the thinking is, ‘We can let go and know that we’re taking care of each other and providing for each other.”
Take those pair of navy blue pants Enos finally surrendered.
“I was saving them in case I was going to lose weight,” Enos said, managing to chuckle through a realistic, “Right. How silly.”
Connect with Buy Nothing & Freeshare Vallejo (Unofficial) on Facebook.
“It’s really about taking care of others.”
— Rebecca Enos