Another story got me to thinking about the tools we lend -- esp. in emergencies. There are my tools and then the ones that I'll hand to a stranger --Sharps, lights, even pens -- why my kit has spares.


Original post about storms, groceries and lights

The dollar store the dollar store the dollar store. Cant say it enough. My Local dollar store I can obtain everything I need to live minus clothing. While not top notch quality It works and its cheap. I can easily buy a screwdriver with multiple bits, Cans of food, Jugs of water, Flashlights, Batteries, Candles, Cooking and eating supplies such as forks plates pots pans, Cleaning supplies, hygiene supplies the list just goes on all for 1$ each. I wouldn't feel wonderful about giving someone a 1$ flashlight to trust on but then again i would feel better Im not loosing a 40$ flashlight if they take it.

As a general rule, I don't loan out tools. I'll use my tools to help people as I see fit, but I won't loan out tools.

With that said, I do often give certain items away. For example, I keep bic lighters in all my jackets, and sometimes I give them away.

I also have a stock of inexpensive knives that I often give away. A favorite of mine for this, is the Case mini-blackhorn. Great little lockback knife, made in the USA, and they sell for under $10.

Spur of the moment Sadly made me pass out mine. Hopefully Ill Get my lights back today.

I loan out flashlights frequently when out on calls for Red Cross (fires, power out - folks have to find their car keys, prescriptions, clothing etc). I always get them back (#wood_knock)

I also loan out a lot of bandanas / handkerchiefs, to folks who just lost everything in fires, and sometimes a loved one. I don't ever expect those to come back to me.

Kindness during disasters endures, but so do ugly and rude - prepare to be generous, at least with small things.

I get a lot of my non-critical (pots, can openers, etc) gear at drug stores like CVS and Walgreens. They're also good places to get loaner items. Just a word to the wise about lending out sharps. Anybody who doesn't regularly carry a knife is going to have problems working without a countertop to put their work on. Almost invariably, the poor schlub I lent my SAK to will nick themselves within 15 minutes. Don't lend out anything bigger then a "Stanley" knife, or better yet, give them scissors.

The comment I get is usually, "OW! Hey, this is SHARP!"

Nicely said, Lono!

Dollar stores and second-hand stores are great places to stock up on loaner/give-away/and redundant stuff. You might even find a gem while you're there!

Hi Jac:

We had a very similar discussion in my thread titled "helping your neighbors".
Glad to see this come up again!

Also it reminds me that I have a flat of baby food to give away it expires...

If you drop off your unexpired baby food at a food bank you'll be a prince among men jenks!

These days, ANY food at a community pantry is very welcome.