Government shutdown giving already-strained food banks more uncertainty

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1. How to start a free store in your community

Chana Widawski
November 26, 2024

If you are moved by the abundance of waste in your neighborhood, are concerned about your neighbors in need, are a fan of building and strengthening community, want to take action to reject capitalism, or just enjoy the mystery of seeing colorful displays of random items, each with a story, you’re not alone! And that’s great news because teamwork is the dreamwork for creating a free store or neighborhood sharing hub. Free stores are an extension of the gift economy, where all items are available to anyone at no charge.

Autonomous systems of exchange and free stores can range from pop-up events to small sharing shelves to larger-scale, 24/7 structures, and brick-and-mortar storefronts. And you don’t need a lot of experience to start one!

Free stores are alive and evolve with their communities’ needs and abilities. In Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, our neighborhood group initially held store events called “Swap, Share and Shmooze.” We eventually launched the Hell’s Kitchen Free Store, a 24/7 outdoor sharing hub. Today, the volunteer community continues to hold pop-up events.

We love visiting free stores and learning from the awesome folks working on them, large and small, across the globe. This guide includes tips and considerations inspired by our collective best practices and lessons learned to ensure that your free store brings joy, needed resources, and success while remaining manageable. We hope they will be helpful as you work to get one more free store off the ground.
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https://www.shareable.net/how-to-start-a-free-store-in-your-community/

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