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Services

Repair Cafe and Clothing Swap

Get broken items fixed by community volunteers for free. Plus, "shop" for gently used clothing at our free clothing swap. The City partners with the Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations and Gresham Free Swaps to host free repair and swap events.

Repair Cafe

What to bring

  • Torn clothing, missing buttons and other fabric items.
  •  Broken lamps, fans, clocks, vacuums, small kitchen appliances.
  •  Broken jewelry clasps, earring hooks. No fine jewelry.
  • Manual garden tool sharpening: pruning shears, loppers, shovels and spades. No handsaws, knives or power tools.

Try to bring anything that may be needed to repair your item: parts, buttons, matching thread, power cords, batteries, instructions manuals, etc. 

Do not bring

We do not repair the following items
 bikes, electronics, televisions, microwaves, small engines, fine jewelry and sewing machines are not repairable at this event.

What to expect

  • If participants bring multiple items (allowed), we can only work on one item at a time and may be able to fix up to one item per person.  
  • Our volunteers will do their best to repair your item, but some repairs may be too complicated or require resources unavailable at the event. 
  • There may be a wait, depending on the number of repairs.

Clothing Swap

Clean winter clothing in good repair is this event's featured swap item. "Shop" for previously loved clothes and bring some to share with others.  

  • Find original styles not in stores. 
  • Extend the lifespan of clothes already in circulation.
  • Be environmentally friendly and economical by wearing secondhand items. 

You don't need to donate clothing or have anything repaired to participate in the swap. Please bring your own bag. Master Recyclers will be available to answer questions about reuse and waste prevention. 

Interested in volunteering?

To volunteer as a fixer or an event volunteer, email  RepairCafeGresham@gmail.com

 

  • Two men repair an electronic item. One holds a flashlight while the other holds a drill.
  • Woman looks through magnified glass light to repair an item.
  • A table with folded women's clothing - free to the community.

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  • Volunteer fixers work on an average of 60 to 100 items per event. All items must be checked in by noon. 

  • This event averages more than 50 participants.

  •   The free clothing swap offers seasonal clothing in good repair.  

Resources

Contact

For more information, contact us at  Recycle@GreshamOregon.gov or 503-618-2525.