Island program offers free clothing and monthly themes for donated items

Jan. 13, 2026

Items waiting to be sorted for the Island Exchange program. Photo by Jessica Hardy.

By Jessica Hardy

STONINGTON- The Island Community Center is launching a new program to offer free clothes, household goods, outdoor gear, garden supplies and other items to local residents.

The Island Exchange was inspired by Torri Robbins, co-president of the Island Community Center, after a summer conference where she heard of other similar programs. Robbins and Sophie Webb, a program assistant at the center, collaborated to create the program and contribute to the wellbeing of the Deer Isle and Stonington community.

Their idea started with gathering winter gear but quickly expanded into items for every month of the year. Each month will have a different theme and community members can drop off items to go into the collection. Once a month, the public can then peruse the items and take what they need, at no cost.

“While there are other programs and drop off places in place, hopefully the Island Exchange will complement what is already available, remove any perceived stigma to benefiting from used items and even serve as a bit of a social connection for community members,” Robbins said. 

Every third Saturday of the month, the Island Community Center will be open from 3-5 pm for the community to come and look through items. The center’s Greenlaw Room will be set up for each theme and organized into categories.

This month’s theme is “Winter Warm-up,” so the program is in search of winter items.

Webb said she hopes that people will dig through their closets for items their family no longer needs or wants.

“It’s a monthly way to declutter their home.” Sophie Webb said.

Any items not picked up by the public will be donated to schools, thrift stores and nonprofit organizations..

“There is so much waste in the world.” Webb said. “Nothing goes in the trash.”

The Island Community Center welcomes all to attend each month. Donated items may be dropped off at the center at 10 Memorial Lane in Stonington.

A list of the monthly themes is below, as well as details on items needed each month for the Island Exchange.