Mutual Aid in Action: Supporting Portland’s Houseless Community Through the Community Free Store

In Portland, where the crisis of housing insecurity remains urgent and visible, grassroots solutions are doing powerful work to meet people’s basic needs with dignity. One of the most impactful of these is the Community Free Store—a mutual aid effort grounded in compassion, solidarity, and trust.

Unlike traditional charity models, mutual aid is about community members supporting each other directly, without hierarchy or strings attached. It operates on the belief that we all have something to offer, and we all deserve to have our needs met.

At the Community Free Store, people experiencing homelessness or poverty can access essential supplies—clothing, hygiene items, snacks, harm reduction tools, and more—completely free of charge. Volunteers often organize, sort, and distribute donations in public spaces or through pop-up events. These spaces become more than just places to get help—they are places to be seen, welcomed, and treated with dignity.

Why It Matters

Immediate impact: A clean shirt, a pair of shoes, or a warm blanket can make a massive difference in someone’s day-to-day comfort and safety.

Reduces barriers: No paperwork. No waiting lists. Just people helping people.

Builds community resilience: Mutual aid networks create relationships that are ongoing and reciprocal—not transactional.

Fills the gaps: Systems can be slow and hard to navigate. Mutual aid steps in where institutions fall short.

How You Can Help

The Community Free Store always needs:

Seasonal clothing and shoes

Travel-size hygiene products

Backpacks, blankets, and tents

First-aid and harm reduction supplies

Snacks and bottled water

Donations can often be dropped off at designated hubs or collected through outreach volunteers. Even a small contribution—like your time sorting supplies or sharing a social media post—can make a difference.

This isn’t about saving anyone—it’s about showing up, consistently and respectfully, for our neighbors. Solidarity, not charity. That’s the heart of mutual aid.