Buy Nothing Deep River, Chester and Essex Community LifeLine

ESSEX, CHESTER, DEEP RIVER, CT — Playing off of the old adage that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, the Buy Nothing Deep River, Chester, Essex Facebook site has become a popular spot for community members to share with one another, paying it forward and swapping items that some want and need and others no longer have a use for. It is a synergy of sorts that is much needed in today’s current environment and one that is helping to form community bonds and gratefulness among residents in the area, who are utilizing the site to get and give different items while meeting one another and sharing a common ground.

Fostering good faith, communal support and eco-friendly recycling, the Buy Nothing Project exudes community. It began as an experimental hyper-local gift economy, which was founded by two friends, Rebecca Rockefeller and Liesl Clark in their hometown community, an island in the Salish Sea off the coast of Seattle in 2013. The simple yet useful concept built trust among real-life neighbors and has since exploded into a global movement with thousands of groups worldwide, including our own right here in the small towns of Chester, Deep River and Essex. It is an online resource, through Facebook, that locals can join to look for and give away things they need or don’t need.

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“The Buy Nothing site has been an amazing resource for The Nest Coffee House. As a non-profit shop, operating during COVID, it has been like a life ring thrown to us,” said Jane Moen, the founder of the non-profit A Little Compassion, which is the umbrella organization for the Nest Coffee House. “From wooden shelving for our Possibilities Boutique to kitchen essentials, yarn for one of our makers, bubble wrap, boxes, a ladder and more...when we've asked, items have not only been offered but usually delivered with a whole lot of love and hope. Just what we need. Our community is there for each other and we are so thankful to be a part of it.”

It's not only local non-profits that feel the community support which is fostered by the Buy Nothing site but also residents.

“While we were in the process of adopting our two cats, the members of the Buy Nothing group were beyond helpful getting us set up with supplies,” explained Chester resident Lisa Tucker. “Not only is it really great to save some money, but it is also really nice getting items that have been pre-loved! We moved back to the area with a toddler 2 years ago, and between work and the pandemic this group has been more than just trading items, it is a bit of a social lifeline also! We've been able to offer items that we don't need anymore and see them continue to be loved, rather than just sit in our closet taking up space and collecting dust.”

She added, “In the days before the snowstorm back in December, it absolutely warmed my heart to see the huge effort by so many people in the group to make sure everyone's kids were ready with the right size snow pants, mittens, gloves, boots, etc.! The Buy Nothing group was also amazing at Christmas time. We were able to give toys that our son hadn’t cared for, and get new ones that he absolutely loves!”

No request is too big or small on the Buy Nothing site and nothing goes to waste. Members are able to give freely and ask for what they need with confidence. The site is building relationships, keeping items out of landfills and helping us all cope with a less than ideal reality right now. So, if you have something you need, or something you no longer want, check out the Buy Nothing Deep River, Chester, Essex site and see how it goes, you might just find a new gem you’ve been wanting, an outlet for some unused items that have been taking up space in your garage, and a new local friend who has shared interests.