Grant Stories

When our everyday items break or wear out, the temptation to toss them and buy something new often wins out. But what if there was a better way? Don’t say goodbye to that temperamental toaster or give up on that lovely antique lamp with the frayed cable just yet.

Americans discard nearly five pounds of waste every day. That’s a staggering amount, especially when many of these items could be repaired instead of thrown away. Enter Repair Cafés, a growing movement that encourages fixing rather than tossing.

The Repair Café concept has taken root in Oshkosh, offering residents the chance to have their broken items repaired for free. The Oshkosh Repair Café brings together community members with experts who generously volunteer their time and skills.

“It’s essentially neighbors helping neighbors,” says Michael Borucke, co-founder of the Oshkosh Repair Café. “We gather a group of volunteers who are experts in various fields—jewelry, clothing, appliances, electronics, you name it—and offer our services to the community.”

Volunteer fixer Sue Buechel tackles a sewing repair at a recent Repair Café at the Oshkosh Community YMCA. Photo courtesy of Ms. Planet.

The magic of Repair Cafés lies in more than just fixing broken items; it’s about learning, networking, and building community connections. Michael explains, “There’s a lot of learning going on, and people always come back and tell their friends. It’s really about creating a sense of community.”

The Repair Café movement originated in the Netherlands in 2009 and has since grown into an international phenomenon, with thousands of locations worldwide. Organizers estimate that half a million items are kept out of landfills each year thanks to Repair Cafés.

For Michael, bringing a Repair Café to Oshkosh was a natural step after encountering the concept as a grad student in Missouri. The initiative has been warmly embraced by the community, with three successful events already under its belt.

“Our last Repair Café saw over 60 people and almost 20 fixers in attendance,” Michael shares. “We have about a 70% fix rate, and the feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. People leave with a smile, saying they’ll be back.”

Supported by your Community Foundation’s Community Impact Fund, Repair Café Oshkosh is more than just a place to fix broken items—it’s a hub of community engagement and sustainability, showing that together, we can reduce waste and build stronger, more connected communities.

Check out the Repair Café Facebook page for upcoming cafés in Oshkosh!