REEDSVILLE — The Family Exchange, a ministry of Reedsville Lutheran Church, continues to organize a free giveaway of baby/children’s items, set for spring 2026.

Julianne Kilmer, of the Reedsville Lutheran Church, said that from now until the event, the Family Exchange will collect donations of unused, unneeded, and outgrown baby and children’s equipment, clothes, shoes, toys and more.

“The idea for this event came to me after overhearing numerous conversations about where to donate gently-used items so they would not be resold but go directly to people who can use them,” Kilmer said.

Kilmer added that local families will be invited in spring 2026 to come “shop” for items they can use. All items are free; no money will be exchanged, and no monetary donation will be accepted. The event has no income limits or eligibility requirements.

Those who wish to donate baby/children’s items may drop off donations from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, and Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Reedsville Lutheran Church on 200 E. Logan St. in Reedsville.

More drop-off days will be scheduled for 2026. Anyone may schedule drop-off appointments outside the designated hours or request pick-up for large donations in Lewistown, Reedsville, Belleville and Milroy by emailing julieskilmer@gmail.com.

Follow the Family Exchange page on Facebook for further donation drop-off dates and times, as well as event updates.

Items should be clean and safe, gently used or new, complete with no missing parts, and from smoke-free homes. Donated items should not be dirty, ripped, torn, worn out, damaged or incomplete.

Kilmer said donated baby equipment might include feeding supplies (bottles, bottle sterilizer/dryer, high chairs), bouncers/swings, strollers, carriers, etc.

“I anticipate that the most needed items will be clothing and shoes for school-age kids, K-12,” Kilmer said.

She added, “We are accepting items for youth, from birth through age 18. I anticipate that most of our donations and demand will be for younger children, but I want to be a resource for kids of any age. Older kids may outgrow children’s clothing sizes and shoes, so we will accept adult-size items but only in youthful styles and brands that teens would be happy to receive.”

Kilmer planned the event with support from the church council at Reedsville Lutheran Church.

Kilmer said the church hopes the event will be recurring twice per year — once in the spring and once in the fall, before Christmas. This hope depends on how much the Family Exchange can collect in donations.

“Or if we find that two events per year spreads resources too thin, I plan to make it an annual event, moving forward,” Kilmer said.

“It is often said about raising children that ‘it takes a village.’ Not everyone has a village, so my goal is to be that for the community,” Kilmer added.