I love this, Elizabeth! I don't participate in a buy nothing group because I don't have facebook, but I'm trying to find small ways to engage in the gift economy with neighbors. One thing I've done is put up a sign in our building's entrance saying that if folks have rubber bands or paper bags they want to get rid of, to bring them to me (I use them for making candles and sending out zines). I also said that if anyone wants imperfect beeswax candles, I'm happy to make some for them, simply because I enjoy making them and want to share them with folks. I haven't had any takers on the candles yet, but folks have left me paper bags! My wife and I are also watching a neighbor's cats and turtles for a few days and it's really lovely to be building a relationship with them where we care for each other! I look forward to reading more of your things!
I love that you’re finding your own way to participate in the gift economy! Our neighborhood has a couple of pantries equipped with working fridges and such where people give and take food and clothing and such freely. And in Baltimore, the local Indy newspaper made their distribution boxes a place where folks can give and take essential items freely. Love these community displays of mutual aid and the gift economy!
I love these examples, thank you for sharing! Our neighborhood has a community fridge. We bring things there occasionally, but I definitely want to do it more. The beat boxes are so cool!
I love this, Elizabeth! I don't participate in a buy nothing group because I don't have facebook, but I'm trying to find small ways to engage in the gift economy with neighbors. One thing I've done is put up a sign in our building's entrance saying that if folks have rubber bands or paper bags they want to get rid of, to bring them to me (I use them for making candles and sending out zines). I also said that if anyone wants imperfect beeswax candles, I'm happy to make some for them, simply because I enjoy making them and want to share them with folks. I haven't had any takers on the candles yet, but folks have left me paper bags! My wife and I are also watching a neighbor's cats and turtles for a few days and it's really lovely to be building a relationship with them where we care for each other! I look forward to reading more of your things!
I love that you’re finding your own way to participate in the gift economy! Our neighborhood has a couple of pantries equipped with working fridges and such where people give and take food and clothing and such freely. And in Baltimore, the local Indy newspaper made their distribution boxes a place where folks can give and take essential items freely. Love these community displays of mutual aid and the gift economy!
https://baltimorebeat.com/beat-boxes/
I do love Buy Nothing but it’s a bummer that it’s most robust on Facebook. It’s one of the few reasons I go on FB these days.
I love these examples, thank you for sharing! Our neighborhood has a community fridge. We bring things there occasionally, but I definitely want to do it more. The beat boxes are so cool!