The primary way that people help sustain the Really Really Free Market is to donate second hand items. We accept all sorts of items including clothing, toys, tools, media, electronics, home goods, and more. It is greatly appreciated if you can donate items in good condition (cleaned and sorted). One limit on donations though is size. Because items need to be transported and stored between events, it is difficult for us to accept large items like bicycles or furniture. However, these things could also be an amazing donation for someone who needs a bike or a certain piece of furniture. So, if you have a large item like this you are welcome to bring it out, but we ask that you be prepared to wait with it at the event and take it away at the end if no one wants it.
Many hands make light work. If you’d like to help and have time to spare, one great way to help is with transportation, set up, cleaning, and organizing. We need transportation help before and after events. We deep clean and organize the collection once per year. You can also help set up and organize at any of the markets. If you’d like to help, email us or come out and meet us at any event.
We can offer more than things at the Really Really Free Market, we can also share services. This is an aspect that has long been underrepresented at our events. Nevertheless, we have had Brazilian Jujitsu, clothing repair, massage, and container gardening skill shares. Is there anything you can do to help your community? Do you have a skill you can provide or teach? If you can, your skills would be a wonderful contribution to the Really Really Free Market.
Free does not need to mean second hand and it certainly doesn’t need to mean junk. If you are a maker of any type, we’d love donations of things that you’ve made yourself. We already have had knitted hats and scarves, embroidered patches, beaded jewelry, 3D printed toys and tools, refurbished PCs, sewn wallets, plant sprouts, printed zines, burned CDs, bath bombs and homemade olive oil soap donated before. These new homemade donations are always very popular. So if you have a craft, please come share it with our community.
Anyone can cook and everyone needs to eat. Consider the really really free market a picnic potluck. Whether it is cool drinks in the summer, hot drinks in the winter, snacks, bread or canned goods, food has always been very popular with guests at the really really free market. When SNAP benefits were cut in 2025 we had an emergency can drive. So you can help by the really really free market by cleaning out your pantry or by cooking a dish. Just be prepared with any serving materials (plates, cups, forks, etc.) if you bring something.
The really really free market is nothing without people. You can help us even just by spreading the word. Tell your friends, family and coworkers. Share our events on social media. Print and display our flyer. Anything you can do to spread the word about the Really Really Free Market would be a great help.
We’re not only in Brookside park. We’ve had events in public parks, libraries, bookstores, skate parks, cafes, bakeshops, bars, and churches. If you have or know a space that could host a Really Really Free Market, let us know. We’re happy to travel and meet new neighbors in new neighborhoods. Let’s share with the whole Kansas City Metro!