Need a couch? A dining room table? In need of a high chair?

Though many of these items likely can be found reasonably priced at area stores, why not see first if items are available free?

Through Freecycle, an Internet-based organization that connects people with others who may have items to give away, residents can find items they need and at the same time keep goods out of landfills.

Membership is free, with 7.3 million people part of the Freecycle network.

Freecycle is a nonprofit organization that connects its members who either are in need of something or have something to give away.

“No money is ever involved,” said Peggie Loden, the local site owner and moderator who volunteers her time to the site.

Mrs. Loden has given away a dining room table, baby items, a cabinet and other articles, and she has received some furniture, other baby items, fabric and more.

Sound too good to be true? “Well, it’s not,” she said. “There are no catches and no strings attached. Everything must be free, and nothing can be taken to be sold.”

Mrs. Loden said it should be understood that Freecycle is not just a place to get free stuff for nothing. “It’s a place to give or receive what you have and don’t need or what you need and don’t have. It’s a free cycle of giving which keeps stuff out of landfills.”

There are a few simple rules to join the group. “It must be free, legal and appropriate for all ages,” she said of items on the site. That means no pornography, no alcohol, no tobacco, no drugs of any kind (including medicines, vitamins, creams, etc.), and no firearms or other weapons.

And no trading is allowed on Freecycle. “You just give it away. That’s what it’s all about,” Mrs. Loden said. Also not allowed are postings of garage sales, because those are meant to generate money, the moderator said.

What is allowed, though, is offering leftover garage sale items free of charge to anyone who wants to pick them up after a sale.

Mrs. Loden also said that when a person arranges to pick up an item from another Freecycle member, basic good manners are expected to accommodate the donor as much as possible in terms of scheduling.

“And then be punctual,” she said. “They are, after all, giving you something you need and asking nothing in return except that you show up when you say you will.”

Mrs. Loden also encourages safety. “It is up to each individual member when arranging for pickup of the item to be appropriately aware of the potential risk of having a stranger come to your home to pick up something.”

The site moderator said it might be safer to arrange to meet in a public place or to leave the free item on the front porch without mentioning whether or not you will be home at the time of pickup.

Mrs. Loden said Freecycle provides a good service to local communities if its participants use it as intended.

To join the Lampasas group, go to http:// groups.yahoo.com/lampasasFREEcycle/. Click on the “join this group” button at the top of the screen. Those who are not current Yahoo users will need to register at www.yahoo.com and create a user name.

For more information, contact Mrs. Loden at lampasasfreecycleinfo@gmail.com.