Kendra Brea Cooper
The free store isn't about buying or selling. In a world full of price tags, the free store is a radical place where you can acquire items (or donate them) for free. The free store reduces waste, brings the community together, and helps community members in need. The free store is not a charity, its a place of solidarity in the face of a restrictive system based on cash.
Finding a location can be difficult, so you might have to get creative. Sometimes you can get lucky, and there will be a cheap (or better FREE) community space you can use. Other times you'll have to work your way around the property/rent system. Craft fairs, free garage sales, front yards, and community events are all places you can hold a free store. The free store can be mobile too!!
Put up posters with your idea, and call friends and family. Organize a meeting night to see who can help out and who can get the word out. The more the better!!
Make posters, start a Facebook page, and get the word out about taking donations.
Explain the reasons why a free store is so important to your community. Invite all members to donate and take, because like I said before, it is not charity, it is solidarity.
The store is going to change depending on your and your communities situation. Sometimes it will be stationary and sometimes it will be mobile in the form of pop up shops. Be open to these things.
Free stuff is great but there are other things you can give away too! You could hold free workshops and and a free skool for skill sharing, free baking, and other great stuff. Use your imagination.
Be open to everyone helping out. This is not about who controls what (leave that to the system)-this is about sharing and cooperation. Work together!!!
Pop culture and all that ideology sitting in the blind spot. Also crafts.
