It can always be worse. I worked for a town that had to close the give/take area because of fighting and disputes!
For those without access to a give and take area I highly recommend using Freecycle to get rid of or obtain free items. You can join your own town or the closest to you. Groups exist for Laconia, Wolfeboro, any many other towns.
http://www.freecycle.org/group/US/New%20Hampshire