Pinoy ‘Buy Nothing’ group provides free pre-loved items for Filipinos in Toronto

Photo from Pinoy Buy Nothing Toronto/Facebook

Hospitality is a virtue that Filipinos bring all over the world. Whether it’s through random acts of kindness or expressions of solidarity in adverse circumstances, Filipinos welcome new members in their communities with helpful gestures that promote the betterment of their livelihoods.

For the Pinoy “Buy Nothing” group in Toronto, hospitality comes in the form of free appliances and household utilities. The growing community assists newcomers in Canada by sharing their extra clothes, appliances, and furniture instead of throwing them away.

Joe Dadural founded the “Buy Nothing” group as a way of giving back to a similar group who supported him first. The private community on Facebook currently has over two thousand members participating in these small but meaningful acts of service.

Dadural shares that “bayanihan”—the long-established concept of camaraderie among Filipinos—is the “Buy Nothing” group’s main goal. On Facebook, their group motto is “Take some and always give more.” “It’s wonderful when we, as Filipinos, come together so newcomers feel welcomed,” he adds. He aims to expand the group to the Greater Toronto Area, as well.

Besides helping fellow Filipinos live practically and building a sense of togetherness outside the Philippines, the “Buy Nothing” group members can also find new homes for their useful items and not dispose of them. Donating their reusables allows them to reduce waste and save money. International students have commended the fruitful pursuit for aiding their costs of living abroad.

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In the Philippines, initiatives like “Buy Nothing” groups are evident in community pantries, the pandemic-borne barangay-wide projects where citizens can give as much food and fresh produce as they can and take as much as they need. Both endeavors are built on mutual aid among participating local and international groups.