The Freebie Barn is Back - New Updates for 2024!
The Town of Kittery, in collaboration with the Climate Adaptation Committee and Kittery Climate Action Now (KCAN) reopened the Freebie Barn Program in 2023 with exciting improvements. By the end of the year, our amazing residents, community members and volunteers donated and diverted over 13,000 lbs from the waste steam!
You might be wondering if 13,000 lbs. makes a difference, and the answer is YES! The amount that’s been diverted from the waste stream is the equivalent of preventing approximately 19 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from releasing into our atmosphere. And believe it or not, we’re not done yet!
During the last several months, we’ve been collecting data, talking to our volunteers, and listening to YOU. To build on the success of the program, and continue providing this invaluable resource to the community, the Freebie Barn will be observing some new updates to its schedule and operation.
Learn more about the Freebie Barn and what’s new for 2024 below:
What is the Freebie Barn?
The Freebie Barn is a place to drop off, pick up, and swap common, reusable items. The goal of the Freebie Barn is to prevent items that still have a useful life and purpose from being put into the waste stream and landfills.
What’s New at the Freebie Barn?
The Freebie Barn’s schedule will now observe hours on Wednesdays AND Saturdays each month (dependent on volunteer availability).
The Freebie Barn will no longer observe a monthly schedule of themed items. Residents are welcome to donate or take-home items during regular business hours, as space allows.
The Freebie Barn will continue utilizing local Community Partners to ensure items that still have useful life can be repurposed or reused by those in need.
Residents that are interested in donating items in response to specific local needs are encouraged to explore the Community Resource Donation Guide by clicking here. The guide includes several local organizations that collect/repurpose items, in addition to what can be donated to the Freebie Barn.
When is the Freebie Barn Open?
Beginning in January 2024, the Freebie Barn will observe regular operating hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays!
The Freebie Barn at the KRRF will be open to the public for item drop-offs and pick-ups:
- Wednesdays from 11 AM - 3 PM
- Saturdays from 9 AM - 1 PM
Note: The Freebie Barn's hours will be dependent on volunteer availability.
Do you still need volunteers?
Yes, every month! The Freebie Barn is a volunteer-operated program and requires engaged citizens like YOU to help make it a success. The more volunteers we have, the more hours we can offer, so please consider signing up today!
For more information or to sign up to be a Freebie Barn volunteer, please visit the Freebie Barn page on our website at www.kitteryme.gov/freebiebarn or click here.
If you have questions about volunteering at the Freebie Barn, we'd love to chat with you! For more information, please contact Haley Mock at hmock@kitteryme.org.
Thank you!
Whether you’ve found time to volunteer, or you’ve donated or repurposed items, we’d like to thank you for participating in the Freebie Barn Program. It’s clear that the Kittery community remains dedicated to supporting one another, and reducing waste and the environmental impact it has on the Town of Kittery.
