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The Valley Alley Swap is a new monthly event in downtown Phoenix that allows residents to donate items, take what they need, and connect with their community.
The first iteration of the event, which was back-to-school themed, was held Aug. 30 at the Heard Building office space and The Thread coffee and thrift shop. Centrico, a restaurant, hosted donation-based yoga.
I showed up to the event—organized by the neighborhood group Downtown Core Community (DCC)—at 9 a.m. with bags in hand. I first dropped off clothes I no longer wanted at the community clothing rack outside of The Thread and scored a shirt for a friend and a dress for myself. Then I put a couple of items on the trinket table, which was full of stickers, coasters, bracelets, charms, and other fun things.
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Outside of the Heard Building, I dropped off books at the What’s Your Story? pocket library, and I picked up a Stephen King novel that’s been on my reading list. At the overflow pantry, I added some Swiffer pads I don’t need anymore.
After all my swapping, I took a look at everything else going on—which was a lot! Inside the building, there was a DJ, a matcha stand, and tables for community groups looking to get people involved. Some visitors were playing Mario Kart on a Nintendo Switch, and there were board games and Legos laid out for anyone to use.
There were also several rooms containing yard sale items that were either free to take or priced by the seller.
Mike Bernardez, an organizer with DCC, said that over the four-hour event, about 100 people visited the various stations. While there were plenty of items left over, he said, community members benefited from the free stuff available.
“During the start of the swap, we had a lot of traffic coming through from residents of the Westward Ho (affordable housing building) as they were on their way to do grocery shopping at Fry’s,” Bernardez said. “It was wonderful as they were able to grab supplies from the pantry and got to save a little bit of money.”
The yard sale began with about two and a half rooms full of items, Bernardez said, and ended with half a room. A table of school supplies was pretty much wiped out. The other stations started to dwindle but kept being refilled with donations throughout the morning.
Bernardez said organizers are holding on to the pantry and yard sale leftovers for next month’s events, while the extra clothes were donated to The Thread. The leftover books are going to a Title 1 school through Phoenix Councilwoman Anna Hernandez’s office.
“It was definitely wonderful to see the community turn up in a big way between showing up and donating their extras. And of course our partners with the Heard Building and at The Thread who opened their doors even though they’re not normally open on Sundays,” Bernardez said. “We’re all excited for next month’s as we’re planning a bigger activation footprint if everything works out.”
DCC is hoping to secure a permit to take over an alley along Central Avenue for the next Valley Alley Swap on Sept. 27. The theme for the event is to be determined.
