Chuck Gould, a Digger, photographed this image from the Free Store in San Francisco. Another branch of the Diggers maintained a Free Store in New York City. In these stores, people were encouraged to shed unnecessary possessions and take what they needed from the piles of discarded items. The store also served as a place for supporters of the Diggers to donate goods or money. The items in the store were occasionally sorted, but not inventoried. This undated picture shows messy piles of donated clothing available for the taking. The Free Store was only one of several free services offered by the Diggers. They also strove to provide free medical care, transportation, communal housing, and food for the community.

Questions