A challenge to capitalism, free of charge

A filthy blue child's coat. A gray Ann Taylor skirt, size six. A tiny iron skillet. Faded hair ribbons. A glass serving bowl and matching vase. A tattered pair of jeans.

All of these things, and many others, were arrayed on tables in a community center in Patterson Park last Saturday. The event was organized by the Baltimore Free Store. As the name implies, the group exists to collect unwanted things and give them away.

"I like the idea of it. [I've] never been to a free giveaway before," said Jacqueline Cross, a visitor to the store. "Free days are wonderful for me. It gave me something to do on a Saturday morning."

Shoppers crowded around the tables, sorting through piles of clothing and examining the miscellaneous house wares that were offered. Children sifted through piles of toys and battered books. Free Store volunteers rushed around, putting out more items and struggling to restore some order to the chaos on the tables. A small girl ran around carrying a contraption that looked something like a cross between a waffle iron and a three-hole punch. "Can I get this, Mommy?" she called out as she zoomed around the room.

While many of the Free Store's visitors are poor, Faith Void, a member of the collective that organizes the Free Store, emphasized that it is not a charity.

"I find quote-charitable-unquote organizations which are supposed to help people below them demeaning," Void said. "We're not helping people, we're giving them a chance to help themselves. I find this more empowering."

According to its members, the Free Store is an opportunity to put their own anarchist and anti-capitalist beliefs into practice. Especially the principle of "mutual aid," articulated by the anarchist Peter Kropotkin at the beginning of the 20th century.

"None of us are rich. It's not like we're some upper class people coming in and helping the poor. We're poor too," Void explained.

While the group is motivated by political principles, they do not proselytize at events. "We want to let people shop in peace and dignity. I don't want to be standing over people telling them my freaking politics while they're trying to get new clothes for work," Iris Peppar, a member of the collective, said.

Instead, the store itself is supposed to be instructive. By coming to the store, Void said, "people see there's other ways to do things than the traditional capitalist, consumerist mindset."

"It's fun, it thwarts capitalism, and it pays directly in useful stuff instead of having that useless intermediary, money," Peppar said. 

Peppar left to fold clothes and returned wearing a garish pink and purple plaid jacket over her sweatshirt. "I'm done with the Free Store!" she joked. "I'm going to pursue a more meaningful career as a used car salesman."

The idea for the Free Store, Peppar said, was born two years ago among a group of activists taking a train back to Baltimore after visiting a free giveaway in Washington, D.C. To launch their own, they held a "dumpster scavenger hunt," where they searched for usable items in the trash.

"It's very basic -- look for a dumpster that has stuff in it, climb in, and see what you can find," Peppar said, adding that they do not take things from the trash anymore, subsisting instead on donations.

The first Free Store was held in a church. It continued to open sporadically, in different locations, especially during the holidays. The group has become more structured in the past year and is looking for a permanent location.

Anyone may volunteer at the Free Store, but in order to participate in decision-making, a person must be a member of the collective. To join, a volunteer must contribute 60 hours of work in three months and then be voted in by the collective members.

"A collective structure is a really hard model because people aren't used to it. We still have kindergarten issues with sharing and talking nice with people," Void said.

But they all agree that it's worth it. "Community-based activism is the true key to change, and this is a good example of direct action, action for the community by the community," said Lucy Hanley, another member of the collective.

"It will help me," visitor Malik Bucksonel said as he left with his new things.

The Baltimore Free Store will be collecting donations in Charles Village this Saturday, in the alley next to 3221 N. Calvert St. More information can be found at http://www.freestorebaltimore.org.