The Baltimore Free Store Has Growing Pains

The Baltimore Free Store is fast approaching its one-year anniversary. Over the past year we have provided free clothes, toys, and household goods to well over 1,000 low-income residents of Baltimore City. Our last Free Store set up on October 15th at 23rd and Greenmount Streets had upwards of 300 people in attendance. With each set up we grow and let more residents of Baltimore City know we are here.

With growth comes an increase in cost. While the Baltimore Free Store had made it as far as the final round for the Community Development Fellowship offered by the Open Society Institute of Baltimore, we unfortunately did not get the Fellowship. For one reason or another the Open Society Institute of Baltimore felt that we did not fit their criteria.

With that in mind we have come to a fork in the road where we must think seriously about how to continue The Baltimore Free Store in its current capacity and be able to survive. For this very reason we are reaching out to you and asking that you make a monetary donation to help us through the next couple of months while we get our bearings straight. Not receiving the Fellowship was a huge blow to our very lofty goals, but it will in no way stop us from existing and moving forward.

Due to growing popularity we have had to acquire a third garage. In addition we are looking into spaces where we can house a permanent Free Store location. In order to keep ahead of donations over the past couple of months, we have increased our set ups to one every other week. All of this means an increase in costs.

Please make a monetary donation. No amount is too small. I know in this time of horrible natural disasters and a tense political climate our dollars are stretched thin, but we ask that you spare any amount you can.

100% of your donation goes towards supporting the Baltimore Free Store. We are an all-volunteer organization so no one is getting money out of this. Donations cover rent, the purchasing of plastic totes, garbage bags, tape, markers, gas, and food and water for volunteers.

Donations can be made via Paypal to: BaltimoreFreeStore-AT-yahoo.com
Or send checks, money orders, or cash to:

P.O. Box 16168
Baltimore MD 21218

Make checks payable to either Matt Warfield or Faith Horwath

For more information please see www.baltimorefreestore.org or call 410-340-9004

*At this time your donation is not tax deductible