Join us for a free community Swap-It event focused on building materials! Bring gently used items you no longer need and take home something new-to-you, all at no cost! It’s a fun and sustainable way to reduce waste, share resources, and connect with others in your community.
You don’t have to bring anything to participate — everyone is welcome!
School supplies
Saturday, August 15, 2026
12–2:30 PM | Final items accepted at 2 PM.
Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, 5025 Knox Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55419
Early dropoff
Early drop-off is available from August 1 through 13 at participating Hennepin County Library locations. Look for a collection container or ask a librarian where to bring your donation.
Early drop off is also available (no swapping) on Friday, August 14 from 1-3 PM at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church.
Accepted items
- 3-ring binders (1-inch only)
- Backpacks (working zippers, no rips/tears/stains)
- Calculators (working)
- Erasers
- Flashcards (in original box)
- Glue, including glue sticks, hot glue/glue guns, and white school glue
- Headphones (over-ear only, no earbuds)
- Notebooks, including lined and composition (50+ unused pages, used pages removed)
- Paint, including watercolor, tempera
- Paper, including lined, graphing, construction, cardstock
- Pencil cases/boxes
- Pencil sharpeners
- Pipe cleaners
- Pocket folders (no logos)
- Rulers, protractors, compasses
- Scissors
- Tape, including Scotch™, packing, masking
- Tissue paper
- Writing and coloring utensils, including pens, pencils, markers, crayons
Not accepted
Broken, excessively worn, stained, or dirty items
What to expect
- No registration required.
- Anyone can participate, kids are welcome!
- You do not need to bring items to take items; everything is free.
- Be kind. Take what you can use, leave items for other swappers.
- Drop off items at the welcome table where volunteers will check, weigh, and sort your items.
- Final items accepted 30 minutes before the end of the event.
- Staff and volunteers are unable to help with unloading or loading items in attendee vehicles.
- Remaining items will be donated to Hennepin County schools and after-school programs.
Volunteer at a Swap-It event
Interested in helping out or know someone who’d like to get involved? Fill out this volunteer interest form, email swapit@reusemn.org, or call 612-314-6283 for more details.
Program support & funding
Additional questions about Hennepin County swap events? Contact Kirsten Wahlberg at kirsten.wahlberg@hennepin.us or 612-543-0430.
Hennepin County Swap-It events are funded by a statewide waste reduction and reuse grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Reuse Minnesota serves as the contracted event producer.
