People lined up around the block Saturday outside Stone Church in Saint John prior to a “free store” event.
For the second time, the Saint John Community Coalition invited people to browse through tables of donated goods ranging from clothes and toys to furniture and kitchen appliances.
Turnout for the first free store in December exceeded expectations. It happened again Saturday.
“It highlights the need for more events like this,” said organizer Quinn Carvey. “We thought we had too much stuff, and now it’s like, ‘Oh, maybe we don’t have enough stuff.’ This has far exceeded our expectations for numbers.”
The coalition formed when several smaller groups realized they had overlapping interests and decided to share funding and resources.
The free store is a result of that work. Carvey said the event aims to build community networks apart from helping those in need.
“It’s one of the best ways to keep in touch with the people who are your neighbours,” she said.
Fellow organizer Sarah Durham said Saturday’s event was centred around giving people a sense of dignity. She said the coalition doesn’t mimic charities that require people to prove they’re in need.
The coalition used donated ingredients to provide free soup and bread at the event.
“We would love to provide a space where anything anybody needs or wants, they can just come in and get it for free,” Durham said.
“Part of the food is to get people to sit down and to mingle and to talk to one another and create a space where the community feels safe and anyone can come, regardless of their income, their socioeconomic status.”
Durham said the “city showed up” after a call went out for donations. “We’ve got more than we could possibly really have capacity for,” she said.
Organizers are planning a free store this summer, likely at a larger venue.
