Lee Charities has opened The Sharing Shed, a no-cost lending program that supplies event equipment to Baldwin County nonprofits and civic groups, according to a news release.

The new service begins operations Dec. 1 and aims to ease the financial strain of hosting community events.

The Foley site functions like a library, per the release, allowing approved organizations to reserve and check out items such as tables, chairs, tablecloths and pop-up tents. Groups return the equipment after their events, which Lee Charities said allows them to redirect funding toward community services instead of rental fees.

“There is so much good going on in Baldwin county. So many nonprofits and groups coming together to make the county the best it can be. We at Lee Charities want to support and are excited to help provide this resource of the sharing shed to our community!” said Mitchell Lee, vice president of Lee Charities.

The program also aims to promote collaboration across the county. “Every table we lend out becomes a place for people to come together,” Penny Hughey, director of community development, said in the release. “That’s what this initiative is really about — connection, not just convenience.”

Hughey brings more than 35 years of event planning experience to the effort and will advise groups as they coordinate fundraisers, festivals and other gatherings. Her expertise has already benefited local partners.

“Penny Hughey provided invaluable guidance in planning one of our recent nonprofit events, bringing together her deep event expertise and her unwavering commitment to our community. Her support made a tremendous impact, and we are grateful that Lee Charities will now offer the same high-level assistance to other organizations,” said Jessica Ware, development director of the Baldwin County Child Advocacy Center, following a recent collaboration.

Lee Charities encourages local organizations to participate and invites residents to donate new or gently used event equipment or volunteer to help maintain the space. Nonprofits interested in using The Sharing Shed can email PennyPHughey@gmail.com for details.

Lee Charities is a Baldwin County nonprofit that works to strengthen the region’s social service network through leadership, insights and giving. The organization said in the release that it envisions a connected nonprofit community working together to meet the needs of county residents.