Community Potluck
Join us for our monthly community potluck prior to the opening hours of the Whittier Free Store! The potluck will be from 12:00pm - 3:00pm in the downstairs courtyard area. Bring any dish or food item (if you are able) that you would like to share. Meet the staff and volunteers for Catalyst and the Whittier Free Store. Meet other members of the community. Learn more about volunteer opportunities.
If you would like to attend, please RSVP at freestore@gocatalyst.org.
The Whittier Free Store is located at 12907 Hadley Street (at Comstock), Whittier, CA 90601 in Uptown Whittier.
Whittier Free Store is Open
The Whittier Free Store will be open from 1:00pm - 5:00pm on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month (refer to calendar for specific dates). Become a member of the Whittier Free Store; membership is free and only involves a brief orientation to learn how we do things. Since the free store is located upstairs, we apologize that it is not accessible for individuals with certain disabilities. However, if you send email to freestore@gocatalyst.org in advance, we may be able to work with you to make other accommodations.
Donations are welcome! You may bring up to 1 or 2 bags or boxes of items - whatever you are able to safely carry by yourself up the stairs in one trip. We accept clothing, household items, cookware, toys, small appliances, and other items that can fit in our small shop. We cannot accept furniture or bulky items at this time (yes, even if you can carry it by yourself in one trip!).
Everyone (with free membership) is welcome to shop the free store at no cost and may choose 2 items. March 4th is an UNLIMITED CLOTHING DAY so that means all shoppers may choose any number of clothing items. Donating is not required in order to shop. If you bring in a donation, you may choose an extra item to receive. Supporting Members may also choose an additional item and can shop from the Supporting Members section. There is also an Unlimited Items area where everyone can choose to receive without limit.
Volunteer Opportunities
- Whittier Free Store Volunteer Staff - requires commitment to show up when scheduled, 12:30pm - 5:30pm shift on the 1st, 2nd, and/OR 3rd Sundays. These positions involve check-in, check-out, inventory processing.
- General Volunteers - flexible schedule, as needed. Sign up for specific tasks: sweeping; bathroom cleaning; trash; courtyard cleaning (sweeping/raking); untangling hangers; designing store displays; ceiling tiles; handyman/woman tasks; sort and identify items from inventory for WFS, overstock donations, or Artisan Work Lab; helping to clean out and organize rooms (Artisan Work Lab and Tool Library rooms); and other tasks.
- Event Volunteers - monthly, as needed. Sign up to help set up/take down tables and chairs, EZ-ups, check in table, organize food/drinks tables, signage, and other things as needed during monthly potluck events or special events.
To sign up, send email to volunteer@gocatalyst.org.