AROUND TOWN

Facebook Group Proving Nothing is Good

by Camy Reynolds • photos courtesy Brianna Briggs

Since 2013, the Buy Nothing Group movement has taken its mission of building community through local gifting around the world. Jarrell has joined the growing fraternity of cities and towns getting better acquainted and fostering community connections through a gift economy.

Daphanie Toro founded the Jarrell & Salado group in 2019 and since that time it has grown large enough to necessitate two splits. Today, Salado has its own group and Jarrell has divided into North and South groups.

Danielle Petersen says, “We gifted a washer and dryer to pay forward the set that had been gifted to us. I love when the life of something can be extended and help others get through a rough patch without having to dig a hole to get out of. Having big items gifted means we help a neighbor not have to make the choice between a meal and a necessary appliance for their family.”

Scan the code to review the Jarrell boundaries and determine which group you may join then follow your group on Facebook.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Buy Nothing is about gifting things to members of the community without the expectation of a reward, so buying, selling, trading, or bartering are not allowed. Members may post three types of ads: GIFTS: Goods or services to share, loan, or give away. Members may also offer gifts of: • Self: something one can do for another, e.g., babysit, run errands • Talent: anything one can teach another, e.g., knitting, sign language • Time: offering or asking for a neighbor to spend time with you, e.g., workout partners, play dates. ASK: Requests for goods or services you’d like to borrow or keep. GRATITUDE: Expressing your gratitude for the goods or services you borrow or keep.

To facilitate authentic connections, members may only join one group and membership is determined by geography, i.e., neighborhoods, depending on size. Despite Jarrell’s small size compared to other cities, it does have several dense neighborhoods, which allow groups to grow and sprout quickly. Daphanie says, “We have noticed when a group becomes too large, there is an obvious shift in which people become focused on giving and receiving things instead of creating relationships.”

Brianna Briggs, admin for Buy Nothing Jarrell (South) sums up its mission; “The Buy Nothing group is the community. Every wish and gift is a way to give back. As they always say, it takes a village. Not just for children, but for life, and Buy Nothing gives you the opportunity to be the village for someone else.”