March Gift Economy Event - NW Metro - where you buy nothing
Schedule
Sun Mar 09 2025 at 03:00 pm to 04:15 pm
UTC-05:00Location
Lord of Life Lutheran Church - Maple Grove, MN | Maple Grove, MN
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The monthly gifting event formerly hosted in the Weaver Lake Elementary parking has moved! Events will now be hosted at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Maple Grove, MN. We are so thankful to be in a new location where we are welcome, AND there’s bathrooms!!The rule changes from December are still in effect for upcoming events. If the rules change, they will be updated here.
Please see below or follow this link to a copy of the rules (in color, with photos) in a google document. https://docs.google.com/document/d/15lY2tt79GiSehR1gnDpP1K8U_hPq3k9HHmKXhg07RUA/edit?usp=sharing
This month, all will enter via the south entrance and roundabout. The North entrance will be closed before the event. "Shoppers" will park in the south lot, following the red arrows in the photo. "Gifting" will be in the North lot. All "gifting" vehicles should follow the black arrows. Parking starts at 2:30, but you can line up along the black arrows as soon as you arrive. Orange boxes indicate closed areas we’ll have cones. "Shoppers" please use the SIDEWALK ONLY to get to the "gifting" lot. ALL SHOPPERS WILL BE HELD BACK AT THE SMILEY FACE UNTIL GIFTERS ARE PARKED.
Bathrooms can be found inside the office entrance, then turn right once inside and follow the signs. Please remember we are guests at this facility and respect the space inside.
UPDATED RULES FOR DECEMBER
Gifters: When parking, pull into the spot directed. Do not worry if you’re not inside the lines! Once you’re parked, wait until the cars on both sides of you are parked before you open your doors or unload. Our focus is SPEED. Note - in December we released 96 cars in 8 minutes from the lot. This month we ask that gifters follow volunteers for exit instructions, and hope to release everyone in less than 8 minutes!
Shoppers: You cannot enter the gifting lot until volunteers direct you to. It will likely be 2:50 or later when you are allowed into the gifting lot. This is to ensure safety for all shoppers and gifters. Please be patient and listen to volunteers.
All: Shopping should start at 3pm when the alarm goes, but please listen for volunteers in case we need a few extra minutes.
We will have extra spots this month for folks with Handicap license plates/tags. If you are a gifter, you will be in the gifting area until 4:00 pm like all other gifters, but we will do our best to release our Handicap spots first. If you are shopping ONLY and need a handicap parking spot, line up with the gifters, but tell a volunteer when parking. There are separate handicap spots by the building that are NOT in the gifting area of the North lot.
In December there is no early leaving gifter area. Until we have enough volunteers for the other essential jobs, we won’t have the ability to host an area like this. Please consider volunteering if you are able.
Remember…
Our #1 priority safety, and
#2 priority is leaving no trace, which includes people dumping things and leaving them there.
Fun fact: all gifters had exited the lot by 4:08 when we started at 4:00. That’s 8 minutes for 96 cars!! We didn’t have any accidents at exit and want to continue that trend.
How can we make exiting the gifting lot better? Follow the volunteers. We will do our best to manage flow out, so be ready to leave at 4 and watch us for direction.
Our new location for November is at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Maple Grove, MN. The full address is: 7401 County Rd 101, Maple Grove, MN 55311
The event will still be held from 3-4 for “shopping” and 2:30-3 for “gifting” setup.
What is this event? This is an OUTDOOR EVENT held in the parking lot with the mission of building community and sharing your abundance with others. You can come to “gift”, “shop”, or both. It’s best to understand it once you’ve experienced it, so come on by. ALL are welcome.
Important Rules for the Upcoming Event
Parking and Setup:
No pets allowed except service animals.
Follow all parking rules, including handicap spots. Only park in designated parking spots.
Gifters: Park next to your items; place items on asphalt only (no grass or sidewalk). Parking/setup starts at 2:30 pm.
Shopping starts at 3pm, when the alarm goes. Listen for the alarm.
No early exits except for emergencies.
Behavior and Safety:
Children must be supervised at all times.
Obey all traffic and parking signs.
Volunteers are here to help.
Everyone can enforce the rules.
In case of emergency, listen for instructions. If an alarm sounds during shopping, FREEZE.
Be kind, honest, and respectful.
No selling or taking items to resell.
Clean up after yourself and take all items with you.
No dumping trash or leaving items on the property.
The event will happen rain or shine, unless a safety risk is imminent. Check the event page for updates day-of.
When in doubt, ask a volunteer or anyone around you.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why are we moving to Lord of Life? Our events have outgrown Weaver Lake Elementary. Lord of Life is welcoming to all and aligns with our mission. We thank them for their support and opening their property to us.
Are there bathrooms? Yes, in the building. Please be quiet and respectful when inside.
Can I save a spot for a friend? No. Arrive together to park together. Meet up with friends in the “shoppers” lot and drive over together to be parked by volunteers.
Will I get the same spot next month? No, spots are assigned day-of. You will park where volunteers send you to park each month.
Can I arrive before 2:30? You cannot set up before 2:30. If you arrive before 2:30 you need to wait in the “shoppers” lot until volunteers have set up cones and started directing traffic.
How can I get more information? Message Elizabeth Kibler on Facebook or comment on the event page. If in doubt, just ask.
Remember, this event is about community and sharing. Let's make it a positive experience for everyone.
This event is open to all regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, creed, sexual orientation, age, immigration status, etc. Racism, bigotry, and discrimination will not be tolerated.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Why are we moving? And why to Lord of Life?
Our events have outgrown Weaver Lake Elementary. We need a place where we are welcome, and Lord of Life has opened their arms to us. Our events and the mission to share your abundance with others resonates with them. Being in a church parking lot may be upsetting for some, and while I will not tell anyone how to feel, I will tell them I am confident all are truly welcome here. I would not have moved us here if I didn’t feel that way. -Elizabeth Kibler, event founder/organizer
Are there bathrooms here?
Yes! Thank you to the generosity of Lord of Life, we will have access to the bathrooms in the building. PLEASE be mindful of any other events, keep voices down, don’t wander, or make a mess inside. If you see anything wrong indoors please report it to the employee in the office.
I want to save a spot for my friend. Can I do that?
If you want to be next to someone in the “givers” lot, you need to arrive with them. If you do not arrive together, you cannot be parked together. To ensure you’re together, please meet up first in the “shoppers” lot, and then drive over together.
Will I be able to park in the same spot for gifting next month?
No. Previously we had some folks who preferred certain spots. We are no longer doing “same spots” as it can cause logistical issues for getting other cars in. We want to be prepared for whatever size crowd comes. We’ve been around 100 gifting cars the last 4 months, so being mindful of space is important.
Can I come and park/set up before 2:30?
No. You will be asked to move. Event organizers cannot get volunteers to help before 2:30, so we need everyone to comply with this going forward. Trust us, no matter how much stuff you have, you can get it all unloaded in 30 minutes. There are always folks willing to lend a helping hand. If you’re too shy to ask for help from random strangers, ask any event volunteer, and we’ll know folks willing to help. Also, the event starts at 3, but that doesn’t mean you need to be unpacked by then. You can unpack the whole hour if you like.
I have a question about something that you didn’t answer above. How can I get answers?
Best bet is to message Elizabeth Kibler on Facebook, or comment on the event. Others may answer or tag Elizabeth to advise.
These rules have been updated for our new location and are subject to change. If you attend the event you are expected to uphold these rules, and if you do not, you may be barred from future events. I am thankful that Lord of Life has opened their property to us. We need to be on our BEST BEHAVIOR.
The Rules - Expanded:
No pets allowed except service animals.
All stated parking rules must be followed - that includes no parking areas and Handicap areas.
Handicap spots are for the folks who have the appropriate pass. DO NOT park in their spots OR their striped area next to them. Folks with these passes can park in the “gifting” lot whether or not they are gifting items.
If you are gifting items, you need to park next to them. They should be on asphalt only, not sidewalks, grass, etc. NO ONE should be parked outside a designated parking spot - that includes the entrance roads and drop-off zones.
Shopping starts at approximately 3pm and will conclude by 4pm at the latest. There will be an alarm or bell ring before shopping starts.
Exiting the parking lot early will not be an option, excluding emergencies.
Setup starts at 2:30. We don’t have volunteers available before 2:30, so if you arrive before then, you will be asked to move. PLEASE do not be in the gifter lot before 2:30. You WILL be moved and if you do not comply, you will be asked not to return.
All children (under 16) need to be with their grownups (parent, relative, neighbor, caregiver, etc.) at all times. All attendees are encouraged to ask any child that isn't with an adult and say "where is your grown up". If the child can't immediately point to their adult, please notify the closest volunteer. Children should NEVER be left in a car or unattended, regardless of weather or if the car is on/locked.
Obey all traffic and parking signs. DO NOT park in accessible spots, fire lanes, etc. unless you have the proper permits to do so. DO NOT park somewhere unless it is a parking spot.
Event Volunteers will have identification. All volunteers have attended previous events and are here to help answer questions. If you'd like to volunteer please message Elizabeth Kibler ahead of time. Day-of ask around for her - she’ll gladly take your help.
EVERYONE can enforce the rules. Event Volunteers are just there to give back-up, but all are encouraged to enforce the rules of the event to ensure everyone is kept safe.
If there is an emergency, volunteers will "sound the alarm". If you hear the alarm, please FREEZE and listen for further instructions. The sooner the emergency is resolved, the better. If you think there is an emergency, yell and the closest volunteers will respond to you.
If you are only “shopping” today (totally ok! ALL are welcome) please park in the indicated area. You are ALWAYS welcome. ALL are welcome.
Like Buy Nothing and other Gift Economy groups, the real purpose of this event is to build community and share your abundance with others. Do not sell ANYTHING at this event - including fundraisers. No taking items to resell later. Breaking these rules will result in a permanent ban.
Take everything with you - the parking lot should be EMPTY after the event. Take any trash or unclaimed items with you. If you grabbed an item and changed your mind, it is now yours to give away/pass on/donate. DO NOT dispose of any trash on the property. If you dump anything on the property or in the dumpsters, it will result in a permanent ban.
This event has happened rain or shine once a month since January 2022. We have never canceled. We will only reschedule if we believe the weather poses a safety risk and the decision would likely be made day-of. Events have occurred during rain, wind, snow, winter cold, and summer heat. Any cancellation will be noted on the Facebook event page, so mark yourself as "interested" or "going" to be updated.
Many people giving items like to set them out on tables, in bins, on hanging racks, with tarps, etc. Before taking any "containers" or other display devices, please ask the giver to confirm that item is intended to be given away. When in doubt, always assume the plastic tub, hangers, table, tarp, or clothing rack is NOT to be given away, but for display only. If you're bringing containers to an event and want to keep them, it's best to stay near your items to remind people, and always helps to label items as "do not take - NAME" as well.
BE KIND and HONEST. We're all just regular folk coming out to hunt for treasures and share our goodies with someone who can enjoy them next. You didn't have this item before you came today, so if someone else gets something first, you haven't "lost" it. Please don't steal or fight, and don't take things from children. Any unkind behavior should be mentioned to volunteers immediately. We cannot do anything about reports that come in after the event is over. Photos of individuals and cars (with visible license plate) are helpful, BUT the most helpful thing is a conversation with a volunteer and any offending party, as most "rule breaking" is just a misunderstanding.
If you see something, say something. Notice folks “shopping” before 3pm? Maybe it’s their first time. Let’s assume positive intent, and mention it politely. If they do not respond appropriately, please flag to your neighboring cars and send someone to get a volunteer. We can’t help if we don’t know you need it. EVERYONE can enforce the rules.
This event is open to all regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, creed, sexual orientation, age, immigration status, etc. If you cannot be welcoming and “love your neighbor” while attending this event, you need to stay home. Racism, bigotry, and discrimination will not be tolerated.
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Where is it happening?
Lord of Life Lutheran Church - Maple Grove, MN, 7401 Troy Ln N, Maple Grove, MN 55311, United States,Maple Grove, MinnesotaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
