School Clothes Swap

Image by sanjoyg via Flickr

The following is a guest post by my pal Lynette355 from Crazed Mind. Pop over and check out all the craziness at her place.

Lynette, thanks for the great post!

Well we all know it is back to school time. And that means shopping when times are at the toughest they have been in over 20 years. So how do we manage to purchase all the back to school supplies, clothes, shoes and odds and ends when the budget is squeezed tight? Well, I do have a lil tip that can help.

We organized a neighborhood swap. I asked the local elementary school to let us use their parking lot for a Saturday School Clothes Swap. Now we could have done this in a back yard, local community center or church hall. But I thought it would draw more attention at the school. Then I placed notices in our small town newspaper, put up fliers around town and signs on street corners.

Image by Quesomanrulz via Flickr

COME ONE COME ALL FOR A SCHOOL CLOTHES SWAP

BRING ALL THE CLOTHING ITEMS YOUR CHILDREN CAN NO LONGER WEAR OR USE. DONATE THEM TO THE COMMUNITY. IN RETURN GO THROUGH THE DONATED ITEMS TO FIND WHAT YOU NEED!

I set up tables with signs for boys and girls on different sides of the parking lot. Then each table was marked by sizes. Shoes were done the same way. As people showed up we asked that they divide their donated items on the correct tables. There was also an area for donated toys, school supplies and accessories.

We also had horded all the bags and boxes we could for people to use. Each family then found what they needed. After two days of allowing families to come and go we packed the remaining items. Those we donated to the local clothes closet. Now those clothes too will find homes. This was a bit time consuming but provided a much needed commodity. Clothes for children of all ages. And all as no cost to anyone.

You can do this on a smaller level with church groups, family and friends and neighborhood programs. Yes take the time and share what you have with others. You never know you may find your needs met too!