It’s been quite a year. Many of us found ways to offer our time and resources to help each other. And with in-person gatherings making a comeback this summer, there are more opportunities to make community connections.
Mutual aid societies and online groups have prospered in Portland, offering free food, clothing, and other items to community members affected by various setbacks – from unemployment and disability to a health crisis or senior needs. These resources are available to those who need them, be it every day, once a week or once a month.
In addition to pop-ups at parks or in parking lots, you can find free or low-cost options at the Resourceful PDX map and event calendar. However, since events and locations can change, it’s always best to double-check the organizing group’s social media accounts to confirm before heading out.
Take what you need, leave what you don't, give what you can
PDX Free Fridge lists free food in fridges and pantries across Portland. It is a community based and informed mutual aid effort to increase access to free food and vital supplies. Their mission is to redistribute existing resources by providing access to free food and supplies through community fridges and pantries. They offer community guidelines, FAQ’s, a guide to start your own efforts, and a map to download.
The Really Really Free Market is a park pop-up where you can bring items you don’t need or want, and you can take what catches your eye.
Places like the Paying it Forward Store offer free clothing on an ongoing basis. There are even plant and seed swaps for those interested in bringing nature to their gardens or homes.
Give through organized efforts (Don’t leave things on the curb)
If you’ve walked by a rain-soaked couch or a pile of mismatched shoes and old DVDs spilling into the street, you’ve seen how “free piles” can turn into litter.
Instead, offer free items on Nextdoor, Buy Nothing Group, Freecycle or Craigslist where people are looking for items and will come to you to pick them up. Nextdoor and Buy Nothing Group allow you to share posts just with people living in your neighborhood, acting as a virtual yard sale and helping you get to know others who live nearby. You might even make some new friends, or find a baby sitter or someone to water your plants when you’re out of town!