Buy Nothing Napa Group seeks to build a hyper-local gift economy I S A B E L L E S C H M A LT Z
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undreds of Napa residents connected through Facebook are helping to create a hyper-local gift economy, known as the Buy Nothing Project. Buy Nothing was created in 2013 by two friends from Bainbridge Island, Wash. It has since become a worldwide movement with millions of members from multiple nations. The project follows a “gifting economy” model, where goods and services are given freely (not sold or traded) and are offered without any expectation of profit or personal gain. It’s a relationship-driven model that focuses on sustainability and helping neighbors. “You give from your own abundance,” said Lilea Heine, administrator of the local Buy Nothing Project Napa. Heine’s Facebook group serves most of the city of Napa. “This community seems like just a simple Facebook group, but I quickly discovered that it is so much more than that,” said Buy Nothing Napa member Katie Henries-Meisner. “It supports a lifestyle I have long believed in, but previously struggled to practice.” Henries-Meisner works as a curriculum writer for a non-profit called Discovering Justice, based out of Boston. 8 | INSIDE NAPA VALLEY
ABOVE: Lilea Heine’s porch is filled with Buy Nothing Napa gifts ready for pick-up. LEFT: In December 2020, Lilea Heine was teaching preschoolers virtually. As part of their celebration before going on winter break, the class had a “crazy hair” day. Heine’s shoes, earrings, sweater, and tinsel were all gifts from the Buy Nothing community. Submitted photo
FALL/WINTER 2021
