Thousands now attend the annual Garage Giveaway, started by Cassidy and Ben Nelson.

Garage Giveaway

Posted March 8, 2011

CASSIDY NELSON was emptying the dishwasher two years ago when she had an epiphany that not only would consume her time, but also shake up her quaint Birmingham, Alabama, suburb. She decided to give her possessions away.

It wasn’t a tremendous sacrifice. She was newly wed to Ben, a worship leader at Helena United Methodist Church, and their wedding guests had been generous with gifts. But did she really need all those sets of glasses and piles of new bath towels? After all, it was just the two of them.

At that time, Cassidy was in a small group at her church studying the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. “The book talked about loving people in radical ways because that’s the way God loves us,” she says. “And it just inspired me to live a more loving way.” She told the group her plan to give away the abundance in her life – the possessions she didn’t need – and then offer it free to people who had a need. The group was intrigued. “Within three weeks I had about 100 people donate things,” she says.

New and gently used sofas and toys and clothing and appliances filled her garage and living room and dining room. When there was no more space to store things, friends offered their garages. Then Cassidy and a team of volunteers passed out fliers advertising the “Garage Giveaway” at subsidized housing complexes, food banks, and among families whose children are on the reduced lunch program at school.

On a cold Saturday before daybreak in December 2009, Cassidy and her volunteers set the items on tables and in bins on her front yard, in the driveway, and in the garage. More than 500 people showed up. Within hours, every toy and shirt and piece of furniture was gone.

The event was such a huge success that Cassidy decided to do the Garage Giveaway annually. The second year, she used social media to encourage others to donate their unused items. The response was overwhelming. Cassidy’s garage was packed again, as were the garages and storage rooms of friends. Someone offered money to pay for a storage unit to be delivered to Cassidy’s home, which was immediately filled to the ceiling.

A television station and newspaper helped spread the word, and early last December, with thousands of items laid out for the taking, about 1,500 people took what they needed, no questions asked.

But the volunteers were curious about what needs they were filling, so they set up a table at the second annual event, asking “a penny for your thoughts.” Visitors could request prayers and share their stories in exchange for a penny. One story involved a woman finding a wheelchair for her handicapped daughter. Another woman, who had recently suffered a stroke, wanted a rug to cover the cords from her portable heater.

“There were also a lot of parents who were out of work and just looking for Christmas gifts for their kids. And we had big things, like bicycles, that they could take,” she says. “That’s my favorite part, when people took things for their kids.”

The Nelson’s quiet neighborhood in Alabaster, however, was overwhelmed by the roaring success of Cassidy’s Garage Giveaway. Despite volunteers who were offering to park cars and signs placed in neighbors’ yards asking people not to park in driveways, traffic in the neighborhood was at a standstill. Some neighbors called police asking that the event be shut down. Police gave the organizers 30 minutes to clear the street, then asked that in the future they hold the event elsewhere.

“The church offered to do it there, but the church is always doing good things. I thought it would be good for people to see this type of thing being done at someone’s home. But for next year we are looking for a community center to have it,” she says.

Cassidy says the response to the event from volunteers, those who donated, and those who come to take items, is validating. She encourages others to do the same in their community. She knows of at least one other Garage Giveaway that was done in Mississippi by someone who had read about her event in a Facebook posting.

“I think we all look for a larger service for our lives and an opportunity to help others,” Cassidy says. “Hopefully, this is a personal step to larger giving, and we can be more sacrificial in the future.”

CASSIDY NELSON is a Regions customer.

comments (17)

I have always wanted to do something like that. I have seen where friends would have clothes swaps and stuff like that. I thought about a free sale the last time i had a yard sale but all my proceeds went to Relay for Life.

Rebecca

This is by far my favorite See The Good story posted! What a fantastic way to share the love of God with an entire community. I too am reading Francis Chan's book and it is refreshing to see that there are people out there who don't just read the book, throw it on a shelf and forget about it, but they actually apply it to their lives. I am inspired to do the same!

Nathan

I have had the priviledge of working on the Garage Give-away with Cassidy and her wonderful caring friends. The blessings WE have received are incredible. They flow out to all the people who donate as well. We are already storing up for this coming December!

Peggy

What a wonderful way to keep this world of ours turning! I'm glad to know Cassidy and Ben!

Ryan

The work that God has done through this couple is amazing. I hate that we are stationed in Germany and were unable to help. I was unable to organize a free sale here due to military regulations. We found an orphanage in our village and gave away: 7 boxes of boy clothes, 5 boxes of girl clothes and 4 boxes of toys. It felt great to provide for others, since God has been so awesome providing for our family!! We are about to PSC to Ohio this summer. I will make the trip to volunteer this year and donate everything we can. I am so proud of my "little" brother and his wonderful wife!!

Bethany

Cassidy and her husband are living out what the Bible says to do when you are blessed. It says that we are blessed and we are to give to others of our blessing. That's living the Bible out loud for others to see. I am sure that a lot of people have not only been blessed, but have learned a lesson about giving to others. Blessings are never lost, but are intended to grow with others.

Judy Bates

Great story!!! My church, OneEighty, in Springville, AL had a "free" yard sale last Fall and it was a great success...we are doing another one in a couple of weeks!!! The volunteers get as much of a blessing as the people who are on the in recieving end. Amazing!

Mycha

Thanks for sharing your story! It made my day sitting here in my teller window :) Oh and I agree Crazy Love is an awesome book!! Keep serving Him!

Tanya Niewedde

What a great idea! I want to contribute so I'm headed to Facebook to establish a connection with Cassidy. Thanks for the story and the idea!!

Terri

I live in Alabaster and think this is an amazing thing for our community and definitely needed. I would love to be a part of this next time. What a great idea and a wonderful way to show God's love!

Kim Lloyd

This has got to be my favorite story so far on See The Good! It is such a blessing to see people reaching out to those in need with God's love. I too have been reading Francis Chan's book and it is really amazing to see people radically showing God's love on a daily basis. I really think this would be an awesome thing for our youth group to try at our church!

Kimberly

This is a truly an amazing event. I helped and it was a very humbling experience.

Heather

This is an awesome story. So inspiring! I live in a small place, but the people here are so loving and caring. There are many in need! I am strongly considering suggesting this idea to my pastor. Thanks for the inspiration!

Jennifer

Inspiring!!! I've been feeling the need to 'lighten my load' recently. So, for the last month, I've been cleaning out everything. Closets, drawers, cabinets, the attic (OMG). Now, I have scads of bins, boxes, baskets & bags strewn all over my home. From the day I began, I've been vacillating between selling and donating. I just hate the thought of not getting anything (but a receipt) for things I still value. On the other hand, I cringe when I think of putting a price on each item. Cassidy's Garage Giveaway sounds like just the thing for me! Just think I can turn doing something for myself into doing for others. It's a bit like a hug. When you give one, you get one! Nice!!

Cindy

God is definitely moving through people! He uses his sheep to bless others. While in the midst of blessing others, the Shepherd continues to multiply and bless His Sheep. Keep up the work of the ministry and may God continue to bless you and your family.....

valerie

Wow!!! Is all I can say about this!!!! God is so amazing in every way, shape and form!!! I would love to do something like this in my community. I've been praying and praying to God for a sign of how to further my ministry to others and I think this just might be the way!!! Thank you Cassidy for sharing!! God bless you and your family!

Jacqueline

I think your story is amazing. Our church does the same thing every year & it is one of my favorite things we do.

Natasha