🌿 Look What We Achieved Together!

And it all began back in 1999 — thanks to Jane’s vision and your participation, families are helping each other worldwide! And we all did it together. We are now in our 2nd generation. Hundreds of children have been involved with their parents in sharing gently used child clothing at Swaphandmedowns. They are now in adulthood. Secondhand clothing is on the rise due to a combination of factors, including rising costs, 1st of it's kind website Swaphandmedowns, environmental concerns, and the desire for unique items. The market is booming, with a projected billions in value in the US by 2029, and 58% of consumers purchasing secondhand items in 2024. This growth is fueled by both online platforms and physical thrift stores, making second-hand shopping more mainstream and accessible.

Community Success Stories

Amy: How awesome is this!! Jane, I have never had so much fun helping others!! 😊

Anonymous Member: I just wanted to thank Betty and let everyone know how kind she is. I received two boxes of clothes for my two-year-old son and they were all great and in excellent condition. I just want Betty to know how grateful my family is for the love and kindness she showed us.

Peggy: This program is great! I am saving a lot of money. I received a whole box of boy's clothing from another Swaphandmedowns member and shipping was really cheap. I am glad I found this site!

Kelly (Missouri): Where did the thrift store go? I have been to the thrift stores a lot lately and left empty-handed. No luck finding the sizes I need or else they are too expensive or just filthy. Before I found your site, I donated items there and never saw them again. Good luck, I hope you collect and help many families — there are so many out there looking!

Sharon Schlossenberg, Director - My Woman2Woman: This is really cool! I'll be sure to tell my friends about it.

Kim: Hello everyone! I just want to say this site is wonderful! I have already received a box of clothing for my 13-year-old daughter — things like Gap and The Limited that a girl her age likes. I accidentally wandered across this site — God had to show me this site. I am loving this place. Thanks so much!

Join the Movement!

These stories are proof that helping each other is easy and powerful. Donate, request, or share your story today and be part of the growing Swaphandmedowns community. 🌏💚

Donate Now Request Now

📌

SwapHandMeDowns.com was a pioneering online platform for parents to swap used children's clothes, establishing itself as the "first of its kind" when it launched in 1999. Founded by Jane Sadowy, the site created an early online community for bartering and donating apparel, long before many other second-hand marketplaces existed. Key details about the platform: Business model: The website connected parents who wanted to trade or donate gently used clothing. Participating families would arrange the details of the swap and shipping directly with each other via an online message board. Membership: In its early days, new members paid a fee to access the database of potential swap partners. The founder, Jane Sadowy, used this fee to cover her expenses and personally matched families based on the sizes they needed. Mission: Sadowy was motivated by her own experience with the high cost of buying clothes for growing kids and sought to provide a better, more affordable solution. The platform was also environmentally conscious, with a focus on recycling clothes to keep them out of oceans and landfills. Community focus: Beyond just swapping, the site fostered a sense of community among parents. It highlighted stories of families who used the service, including those with special circumstances like foster children or triplets. Growth and evolution: Over time, the platform expanded its offerings to include women's high fashion swaps and operated primarily through a community forum where parents could post their "wants and needs". The website has been registered with the Library of Congress Copyright Office since 2004.