As we near the end of the year, we also are nearing 'use it or lose it’ time for anyone who has FSA funds for the year. This is a great opportunity to stock up on supplies for your house, and buy bulk amounts of things you may not use all of yourself - and donate them!
I’ve taken it upon myself to ask around about shop supplies we use frequently that might be FSA eligible, plus some I know we use in bulk frequently. Black Friday deal hunters - be on the lookout as well! I’ll set up a drop bin in the MPR for items you’d like to bring.
FSA Items
Here are lists for Amazon and Walmart. These items should be FSA eligible, but each FSA and insurance plan is different. You might also find equivalents at fsastore.com, deals or incentives through your FSA plan’s benefit site, or elsewhere. I also have no expertise in the rules around your FSA funds, so it’s up to you to make sure the FSA purchase goes through. It is probably best if you have the item shipped to you so you can open it and bring in what you want to, but we do get a bunch of packages constantly at ASMBLY and can receive shipments if needed.
NON FSA Items
Some shop supplies we use that are not FSA eligible that I’ve seen, but might be available through somewhere or have a Black Friday special somewhere:
- 99% Isopropyl Alcohol (one instance was eligible, most are not)
- Cleaners, soaps, Swiffer pads, sponges and scrubbers
- Acetone, q-tips
- Plastic drop cloths, blue painter’s tape
- CA glue, exacto knives/blades
Many of these items we have a standard brand preference (check out what’s there now). Sometimes I find bulk deals that are cheaper per roll, but I won’t use 10 rolls. Well, Asmbly can help!
What will happen with my gift?
For things we will use at Asmbly, we’ll store it and restock it for however long it lasts! This doesn’t mean we’ll restock when we’re out, but we do have the luxury of storing bulk supplies and a community that can use them productively!
For things we can’t use at Asmbly for whatever reason, or for any extreme amounts of supplies, I will find a good place to donate them locally in turn - starting with local food banks and shelters. A lot of these basics aren’t covered by SNAP or other benefits, and are rarely donated.
Special Challenge
One of the things we don’t generally stock are feminine supplies in the restrooms. These supplies could help many members be more comfortable in the space, as well as be welcoming to our public event and class attendees!
So, if we get a good amount of donations of these supplies, I will: socialize requirements, design or find, and print a wall-mounted dispenser/organizer for each of our restrooms around the first of the year. I can’t take any credit for this great idea, but I can definitely help make it happen! How will we know what’s enough? I don’t have a set bar, but the more supplies we get the more effort I’ll put in to the print! I’d love to see a year’s worth of supplies come in, so we can stay stocked until FSA time next year!
Help! Is this eligible?
They don’t make these things very easy to find. Search results often have NON-FSA things in them as well. You’ll need to double check, and make sure to check out with your FSA card if possible!
On Amazon, a particular item page will have a note if it is eligible:
On WalMart, the indicator is similar:
Disclaimer
I’m just a volunteer doing this, and I don’t know your FSA rules. Make sure you follow them to get your benefits! Asmbly has input but not control of this project, and none of us are FSA experts or tax attorneys, so we can’t take any responsibility for your health plan policies. It’s up to you!
