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Local Fergus community helping each other out with The Giving Spot

The giving spot is a place to donate and take items that can be reused for free

A small idea from five mothers in Fergus to reuse items and avoid unnecessary waste has expanded into a mini-shop for those in need. 

The Giving Spot works similar to a little free pantry or library but taken to the next level.

In this case, it is a pop-up tent of free-to-take items in the corner of the Bethel Baptist Church grounds on Victoria Crescent. Clothes are also hung along soccer goal posts that aren’t being used currently on the same grounds. 

Items range from clothing for all ages, bread, books, movies, cookware, children’s toys and more, all donated from the local community. 

This charitable endeavour is not associated with any organization but simply a group of community members who wanted to make a difference.

Alissa Potts, a co-founder of The Giving Spot, said it started with the group of five mothers noticing the free items they put by the dumpster were ending up in the trash. 

“How can we work as a team to avoid that?” Potts said. She was then given approval from the church to organize something on their grounds.

It first started as a monthly garage sale but shifted into a 24/7 place where people can anonymously get items they need.

And there is a need, as Potts noted the Edinburgh Avenue townhouse complex is geared-to-income housing but also generally the cost of housing and living is going up in Fergus but pay isn’t keeping pace.

She couldn’t say how many people are regularly taking items but was certain there is a lot of use.

“We see a huge turnover rate, everyday there is a turnover of items,” Potts said. 

“We see a lot that it is a need in the community and I think it’s perfect because some people are struggling paycheque to paycheque. This helps them not have to debate what bill to pay or what groceries to get.”

Potts said there has been a positive response from the community who are particularly appreciative of the anonymous nature of it as opposed to having to sign-up at an organization. 

“I had a woman today tell me, she’s like, ‘There’s so many people in need that are just embarrassed to come ask for help, this way they don’t have to ask, it’s just here,’” Potts said. 

“Nobody needs to know your finances, nobody needs to know anything.”

The organizers intend to expand The Giving Spot with another pop-up tent next year with more food items. 

Potts said they get a donation from COBS Bread Bakery weekly and are in the beginning stages of harvesting some fresh vegetables from gardens. 

“Next year we’re going to try and reach out to see if we can possibly talk to big corporations about their food being thrown out,” Potts said, adding it could be donated instead. 

Donations for the giving spot can be dropped off on the porch of 301 unit b Edinburgh Ave. where it will be sorted and brought to the tent. 

The Giving Spot will close by the end of October but winter clothing items will remain year-round.