Simplay3 Blog

Finally, you are feeling pretty settled in your new place. Now is the time to get connected with your new community. There are many ways to do this, from attending town meetings and community events to volunteering, donating items, supporting local organizations, or helping a neighbor.

But you may still be wondering, “How can you give back to your community in a simple, meaningful way?”

One way to start close to home is with a Simplay3 Sharing Library. With either an in-ground post or a dig-free option, these sharing libraries can help you create a welcoming place where neighbors can share books, food pantry items, seasonal supplies, or small everyday essentials. 

Simple Ways to Give Back to Your Community

Giving back does not have to mean starting a large project or spending a lot of money. Small, consistent actions can help neighbors feel more connected and supported.

You can give back by:

• Donating gently used books, toys, clothing, or household items
• Volunteering at a school, food bank, library, animal shelter, or local event
• Picking up litter during a neighborhood walk
• Supporting local shops, restaurants, and makers
• Helping a neighbor with yard work, groceries, or seasonal chores
• Collecting non-perishable food or personal care items for people who need them

A Sharing Library can make some of these ideas easier by giving your neighborhood one central place to give, take, and participate.

Children’s Summer Reading

Place your own unused or well-loved children’s books inside the Sharing Library to invite youngsters to continue learning during school breaks. This could also be a great place to put coloring sheets/books with sets of crayons for everyone to enjoy. You may be giving a child who doesn’t normally have access to these things a chance to discover something new! If everyone subscribes to “take a book, leave a book”, your library will be brimming with good reads in no time.

Grown-Ups read too

Placing chapter books in the Sharing Library once you’ve finished reading them is also a great way to encourage older children and adults to jump in on the fun as well. This is a great option when a local library is too far away because grown-ups like reading too!

Sharing Pantry

A different way to use this Sharing Library is to not use it as a library at all, but as a pantry for those in need. Place non-perishables inside for anyone to come up and take what they are in need of. You could even encourage others around the community to place more options for people to choose from. In the winter you can place warm items like hand warmers and gloves, or bottles of water in the summer can go a long way.

How to Start Giving Back in Your Own Neighborhood

If you are not sure where to begin, start with what feels manageable. Choose one cause or need that matters to you, such as reading, food access, outdoor play, sustainability, or helping families feel more connected.

Then, make it easy for others to join you. A Sharing Library can become a simple invitation for neighbors to participate. One family may add books. Another may add pantry items. Someone else may leave coloring pages, school supplies, or seasonal essentials.

When giving back feels approachable, more people are likely to take part.

There are so many ways to use the Simplay3 Sharing Library to give back to your community. Whether you fill it with books, pantry items, creative supplies, seed packets or seasonal essentials, it can help turn a small act of kindness into something neighbors can use again and again.

Built for everyday family life and made in the USA, Simplay3 products are designed to support the kinds of moments that bring people together at home, outside, and throughout the neighborhood.

What will you do to give back?