A Bacchus Marsh resident has launched a new group to promote thriftiness, reduce waste and engage the community.
Sharing is Caring Bacchus Marsh is a trading platform in which money isn’t allowed, instead people can trade or share for free physical items and also also teach skills, or lend a hand to a neighbour in need.
Group founder Sharon Stone said she learned a lot about resourcefulness during the 1980s recession.
During that cost of living crisis, Ms Stone, her husband, and baby daughter found themselves in a situation where they couldn’t keep up and found themselves experiencing homelessness.
“We slowly dug out of it,” she said.
“We had to be resourceful… we had to learn to survive.”
Now, the family owns their own home in Darley but those life lessons left an affinity for thrift and Ms Stone said that recent negativity and the modern cost of living crisis inspired her to get the community involved.
“I thought bartering is great, and it’s a way of people helping each other within the local community… there is a need for people to help swap, barter and be kind,” she said.
“I’m hoping to build a community where if people really need help they feel safe to reach out, without people feeling picked on or judged.”
The group’s Facebook page, which is just for Bacchus residents, already has 276 members in just over a week and users have been giving away fruit, baby-baths, kitchen appliances, furniture and pantry items.
Ms Stone said the rate at which the group has grown is mind-blowing.
“It’s growing quicker than I imagined…Maybe I’m onto something that might be helpful for others in the community,” she said.
Details: www.facebook.com/groups/658606225740130
