The Cart Project: Get one — and/or help distribute them

| How to help | Neighborhoods | Transportation | Westwood

Feet First, which helps make our area more walkable, is close to kicking off The Cart Project – distributing carts like the one shown above, for a nominal price – and that means two things for people in West Seattle. First, the carts will be initially offered to Westwood-area residents. Second, volunteers are needed to help match carts with takers. Here’s what Ellie Taylor from Feet First sent us to share with you:

Meet new people, and give neighborhood residents a reason to get out and walk! This is a volunteer opportunity for Feet First’s new Cart Project, which aims to make it easier for people to do their everyday shopping on foot with personal hand-carts.

Location: The pilot project is in Westwood Village, West Seattle. Volunteers would help distribute carts to neighborhood residents who come through the QFC in Westwood Village.

Times: Throughout the day; evening availability (5-7) is especially appreciated.

Tasks: Volunteers will ask people if they are within the target area, describe the project, administer a short survey, and collect some money.

To find out more, e-mail Ellie at ellie@feetfirst.info

Sue June 20, 2008 (7:11 am)

This is a really good idea! It seems that “everybody” in New York City owned one – in fact, the supermarket carts all had “S” hooks on the ends of them so you could hook your cart on it while shopping. Juncton TruValue also has shopping carts for sale. When they open the Whole Foods and the QFC on Alaska, I’ll certainly go back to using a cart to walk to the store instead of driving.

Alice Kuder June 20, 2008 (8:24 am)

I am thrilled to see this in the works and already well beyond the idea stage! My sister and I were just talking about getting wheeled carts for hauling heavier items home from the store. Now if I can just convince my dogs to pull the carts, I’ll be all set!

Aim June 20, 2008 (8:51 am)

I want one! What day(s) will they be at QFC? We’re definitely in the target area…

ann June 20, 2008 (10:06 am)

Now someone (or me…)needs to invent a stroller with a BIG luggage compartment that is manageable enough to bring on busses. Oh yeah, and the kid needs to be able to stay in said stroller while the bus is moving.

Bus travel is a pain with a stroller.

Walking to the store would be enjoyable though with this invention.

WSMom June 20, 2008 (10:20 am)

I want one too!! I wonder when will the Alaska Junction be the target area?? Has anyone purchased a good cart in West Seattle?

Alvis June 20, 2008 (10:26 am)

The last words of the press release advise that volunteers will “collect some money,” presumably in return for each shopping cart. How much money are we talking about per cart?

WSB June 20, 2008 (10:39 am)

$15. and they are worth more than $60 each.
I sent Ellie a followup question after her original note and got that info. She also offered this phone number for inquiring about cart availability, which might be possible for some folks just slightly outside Westwood area but walkable to that shopping center.

Number is:
(206) 652-2310

sandra m June 20, 2008 (12:30 pm)

Excellent! Let’s get out of our cars as much as possible. Fresh air and exercise are a great plus — especially when the weather cooperates!

herongrrrl June 20, 2008 (3:42 pm)

This is a great idea! I just bought one on sale at Bartells for $15, but I’m sure that one wasn’t really worth $60…Nice to know I won’t be the only one strolling around with a cart. :)

Ann–when my daughter was small I carried her in a sling and used her folding umbrella stroller to carry things when we took by bus. Worked well and didn’t take up a lot of extra room on the bus.

Sorry, comment time is over.