Just discovered an awesome non-profit project here in town, the Baltimore Free Store. It seems to be the Baltimore equivalent of the free boxes so common to curbs in Seattle and Northern California (I’ve heard of towns in Northern CA that have town-free boxes, as well):

As stated in our Vision, we organize in a manner that focuses on creating a society based upon Voluntary Mutual Aid and Cooperation. The concept of Mutual Aid rests in the idea that there can exist a system of voluntary exchanges of resources and services for mutual benefit. To this end the Baltimore Free Store is organized through the concept of ‘Take what you want, Give what you can’. We are not a charity providing hand outs to ‘the needy’, as if there exists this definitive underclass of ‘needy’ individuals awaiting your scraps and leftovers. To the contrary we are an organization that is demonstrating through actions the reality of a system where a mutual benefit is achieved through the exchange of goods at no charge. Anyone can donate. Anyone can take free items. Anyone can volunteer and get involved. Anyone can shape the future of the Baltimore Free Store so long as they believe in this concept.

If we can change the way we think about one another then we can change the way our society functions.

Looks like they are undergoing an organizational crisis of some sort, which I look forward to them figuring out. Would also be nice to see their presentation of this most excellent project rehabilitated to provide greater impact and media presence.

They are having a “Free Market” on Saturday October 27, at 31 North Haven Street in Baltimore, until 3pm. Will have to go and check that out. If you’re in town, also check out the Mid-Atlantic Radical Book Fair happening this weekend, with lots of small presses and crazy workshops.

Also be sure to check out the Book Thing, another cool non-profit project in Baltimore where you can go get free used books. Totally kickass!