The holidays should be a time of togetherness and experiencing gratitude for all we have. Unfortunately, many in our community don’t have access to resources, financial or otherwise, to provide their loved ones with gifts. At the same time, some of us have attics and basements full of great items that could use a new home to be passed on to someone who will truly appreciate them.
Pittsburgh has always been a city of resilience with a strong sense of community; we show up for each other. Throughout the holiday season, countless hardworking Pittsburghers do their part to make the holidays special for everyone, regardless of financial means. Read on to learn about a few of them and how you can support!
Play it Forward Gives Families Free Toys & More
Play it Forward has been collecting and distributing toys, bikes, games, arts & crafts supplies, and more for 13 years. They’ve grown so much that they hold free distribution at the convention center! Here are a few ways you can help the dedicated team of volunteers further their work.
- Donate your gently used or new toys, games, electronics, sports equipment, bikes, and movies (dvd only).
- Donate your time and bring your families by volunteering
- Donate funds via Paypal to playitforwardpittsburgh@gmail.com
- Share this information with someone who may need some gently used toys this holiday season.
These Two Orgs Connect People with Free and Low Cost Bicycles
Free Ride is a volunteer-run bicycle collective that not only sells used bicycles at affordable prices but can teach you the basics of bike repair. A long time community staple, Free Ride gets used bikes to folks who need them.
They have three main focuses:
- Rerouting used bikes from landfills (BIKE DONATION DRIVES)
- Reusing bikes & providing an opportunity for community members to access (WE SELL USED BIKES)
- Providing workshops & learning opportunities for community members to repair their own bicycles (DIY SHOP TIME)
Red Lantern Bicycles in Turtle Creek has the mission of “refurbishing and redistributing bicycles into underserved populations, including children and those with limited access to transportation. We believe in equity, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship.”
They sell gently used bikes for as low as $35 and offer a variety of repairs and service at affordable prices. They host free kid bike giveaways and have given away over 7,000 kid bikes in the region and counting!
While they are closed for the remainder of 2023, they have been a consistent source of bicycles for people in the community. They are doing important work with the intention of helping and supporting community members over profits.
If you want to support their work, consider donating to their GoFundMe so they can own their building –they have been “given the opportunity to purchase The United Calvary Church of Christ in Turtle Creek, and they need your help!
Free Stores Provide for Communities around PGH
The Pittsburgh area has multiple Free Stores that provide free clothing, household items, and more to community members, no questions asked. Most of these stores will accept donations of gently used clothing, household items, shoes, books, and small appliances to be evaluated and distributed to those in need.
Next time you have items you no longer need at home, consider donating them to one of these organizations. Reducing waste and getting useful items to people who need them benefits everyone.
The Free Store, North Side Pgh – “The Free Store at the Wellness Center will be distributing new and gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories to Propel families and community members throughout the fall. Fresh produce and personal care items will also be available two weekends a month.”
Free Store Braddock “What began as a project for the community of Braddock, has grown to serve all families who make their way to us. Free Store 15104 is a space where everyone is welcomed, embraced and received with love. It’s a place where perfectly wonderful things not needed in one home can find a can find a perfectly wonderful home in another.”
Free Store Wilkinsburg – Located on Penn Ave in Wilkinsburg, The Free Store distributes many useful household and personal items on the first Friday of every month. They are actively seeking volunteers and financial support to help maintain the store.
If you can support any of the free stores in our area, consider a financial donation. Funds donated are put to work supporting community members with less financial access who may not be able to purchase new items for themself or their families and rely on free stores like those above.
Be the Change
Organizations like Play it Forward, Free Ride, Red Lantern Bicycles, and Free Stores ensure that everyone, regardless of financial means, can partake in the joy that biking [and/or] the holidays has to offer. Supporting these organizations through donations or volunteer work is a step towards promoting mobility justice. It helps bridge the gap between those who have access to resources and those who don’t, promoting a more equitable distribution of goods and opportunities within the community.
Of course, there are so many other people and organizations doing important work in our great city. What other organizations do you know of that are spreading generosity and cheer during the holidays, or, all throughout the year? We want to know about them! Tag us online @bikepgh or send us a message, and remember to be kind to your neighbors this holiday season.
by BikePGH Staff Contributor – DeAnna Srock
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