Founded in 2005, Community Forklift works to reduce waste and strengthen communities by collecting surplus building materials and home goods and redistributing them to the public at low cost or free through community giving programs. Each year, the organization diverts hundreds of thousands of items from the landfill while supporting affordable home repair, environmental sustainability, and local green jobs.
If you’ve ever wandered through Community Forklift’s reuse warehouse store, you know it’s more than a place to find salvaged building materials and home goods. It’s a space full of stories, creativity, and community, and we’re excited to invite our neighbors to experience that energy at our free 2026 events!
Throughout the year, Community Forklift hosts events from relaxed evenings with live music to seasonal pop-ups and community partnerships. These gatherings are designed to be welcoming, accessible, and fun for all ages.
Our popular First Friday series returns this year with themed events that highlight different parts of our region and the role reuse plays in shaping them. In May, we’ll celebrate the Anacostia River and the communities connected by it. June brings a focus on bicycling and sustainable transportation. After a summer break, First Fridays return in September with a look at historic homes and the stories they hold, followed by a Halloween-themed evening in October. (more…)