Buy Nothing group builds up community, helps during hard times
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- At a time when everything seems to cost more, neighbors are now working on a project that costs nothing.
The Buy Nothing Project started back in 2013 with the idea of helping build up a community and give from your own abundance.
The project has been growing in Colorado Springs and is helping people through a time of financial instability.
"It’s really nice when people are excited about joining and being in the area," said Idgie Watkins, an administrator for the Buy Nothing Briargate group.
Watkins moved to Colorado Springs two years ago and met Kathy Kusman-Kelly through the group.
"When you start over later in life it’s harder to make friends, especially under the circumstances, this has been great. We’ve really been able to build a friendship through it and it really means a lot," said Watkins.
The two formed a bond over wanting to give.
"I was trying to gift as we were getting married and combining two full-sized homes into one and what was the most positive way to share it instead of donating it to a charity that costs -- so this costs nothing," said Kusman-Kelly.
The two are now administrators for the Buy Nothing Project- Briargate. It's a sub-group created just over a week ago. Everyone gives, borrows, or asks. There's no buying or selling.
"In the world today where things can be so tough it’s really nice to be able to meet someone or get a gift from someone and then share gratitude," said Watkins.
The group shares all kinds of things from furniture to clothes and toys.
"Decorative items, pictures are big, art, and hangers are big things," said Kusman-Kelly.
The group has even given food.
"We had a couple recently that they couldn’t, they needed food, and so it became this very easy community that people say 'hey I have this, this and this and we make sure it’s delivered to the house and it’s all on the porch so there’s no embarrassment for anyone," said Kusman-Kelly.
Right now, life is expensive. Inflation is at 8.2%. The cost of food is up by more than 11% and furniture is close to 13%.
"The community right now is struggling. It doesn’t matter which neighborhood you live in. It’s just people struggle, and so we’re here to find what’s kindness and generosity and being able to share it instead of it costing something," said Kusman-Kelly.
There is now a Buy Nothing app, so you can give outside of your community as well.
