Phoenix Web is now a 501(c)3 non-profit!

Contact information:
Phoenix Web
Helena Kaminski
phoenixwebcollective@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 10, 2022

PHOENIX WEB, INC. APPROVED AS A NON-PROFIT PUBLIC CHARITY

HUNTER, NY – Phoenix Web, Inc. (formerly Phoenix Web Collective, Inc.) is pleased to announce that it has been approved for 501(c)3 status as a public charity by the Internal Revenue Service, and the organization - which houses its popular REALLY REALLY FREE MART - is now a registered charity with the New York State Charities Bureau under Article 7-A and the EPTL of NYS law. 

After three years of operating the Really Really Free Mart, Artist Shop, and Makers’ Space under the previous name; the new nonprofit’s mission statement reaffirms the organization’s commitment to charity: “Our mission is to combat poverty and prevent unnecessary waste from entering landfills by collecting, redistributing, and repurposing used goods for free, while providing a safe space for positive community engagement and the pursuit of creative endeavors.”

The Really Really Free Mart is exactly as straight-forward as it sounds: volunteers collect, organize, and display donated home goods and clothing like you would see in any thrift store. But here, no one will bat an eye when you walk out without paying - although the shop appreciates a “pay-what-you-can” contribution if you can afford it. Those modest gifts constitute Phoenix Web’s primary income source, and keep the shop running.

Phoenix Web showcases the work of local makers in the Artist Shop section of the store. On display is handmade jewelry, pottery, cat ear hoods, knitwear, teas, paintings, sculptures, and more. In order to support struggling artists, the shop does not take a commission and artists receive 100% of the sale price of their goods. Here you can also find upcycled, staff-produced merchandise, whose proceeds benefit Phoenix Web.

Inside the shop you’ll also find a small Maker’s Space, where patrons are encouraged to find items in the Free Mart to upcycle, or use the copious available art supplies to make something new. Any textiles which are no longer wearable or usable are sold to a local recycling company.

Off-site, you will find two additional Phoenix Web projects: the 24/7-accessible Hunter Community Fridge (in cooperation with the Kaaterskill Methodist Churches and Catskill Foundation), and the organic Community Garden (thanks to the Catskill Foundation). 

Life-long Hunter resident, and Phoenix Web Collective co-founder Marilla Abrahamsen joins veteran volunteers Dillon Gilbert and Helena Kaminski to form the initial board of directors for Phoenix Web, Inc.

Non-profit status marks a step toward a sustainable business model wherein money will be raised toward: a) current operational needs; b) securing a savings fund so that Phoenix Web can cover expenses into the future; c) creating paid positions so that Phoenix Web can be continuously staffed into the future; and d) expanding programs and physical spaces so that Phoenix Web can offer more for free to the mountaintop community.

The shop, located at 7947 Main Street in Hunter, is open Thursday through Sunday. Everyone is welcome regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, class, or need.

* * *

Abrahamsen, a seasoned dumpster-diver, witnessed her first really free store while traveling in New Orleans – and instantly fell in love with the idea. 

“It’s frustrated and angered me so much that so many perfectly good things end up in landfills. In New Orleans I witnessed a real solution, however small, so I decided to bring it to my community,” she said.

She connected with the Prattsville Art Center and set up the monthly Really Really Free Mart in their space, giving the Center all the proceeds in exchange for storage. With the help of a wonderful community of friends the freemarts were a hit, often integrating with the Center’s concurrent events.

“At this point, we had formed a sort of core day dreamers crew. We would hold meetings in our homes and at local eateries, and discuss our common goals and how we could benefit the Catskills and mountain community. One of those amazing people, Kate [Reinke], gave our group’s internet chat the name “Phoenix Web”, and it stuck.”

The crew began pouring energy into community efforts like revitalizing the Prattsville Fire House, and dreamed of establishing a permanent space to host the freemart, as well as an art gallery, performances, and lending library. 

After a brief hiatus, operations resumed every Sunday, using a neighboring church for storage and a pop-up tent to host the freemart on the Prattsville Town green. During this time, the name Phoenix Web Collective (PWC) was officially registered, and the crew hosted the first two skill shares.

In 2019, although being denied a grant, a full hearted, creative, healer of a person who dug the mission appeared, and chose to donate $6000 towards setting up the business and renting the storefront Phoenix Web now occupies on Main Street in Hunter. 

PWC was almost instantly successful, however late in 2019 some of the crew had to step away and volunteers became difficult to find. Abrahamsen and Reinke were left managing everything alone – from the finances to social media marketing – all while Abrahamsen was working three jobs and Reinke was battling an aggressive cancer, which she tragically lost to on January 14th, 2020. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic ripped through the world causing massive shutdowns, the low-maintenance freemart was able to keep running and stay open, providing the most vulnerable community members access to essential items for free. 

Although 2020 was an intensely difficult year, PWC was able to pay all of its bills and stay open regularly. In 2021, the Community Fridge and Community Garden were added to the roster, and workshops and small events restarted. 

Several times throughout its history, this project has been denied grant funding and institutional support. In spite of that the shop has been able to stay open for three years off of small, in-store monetary contributions - and a dedicated crew - alone.

Moving forward, the crew at Phoenix Web hope to continue to offer Skill Share workshops, restart performance events, and find a larger space where they can accommodate storage as well as more community offerings and a larger Maker’s Space. 

Relevant media:
https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/culture/article/Hunter-local-turns-dumpster-diving-into-free-mart-16344686.php
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSpmvAkGms4
https://wavefarm.org/wf/archive/dfkg9f?fbclid=IwAR01d9aM_HUHXf9uwq4IHJfX5N9lfQFI5STa-xfMUl83BpxZUaGH9GTHals