"If you were ever desperate for food, you could knock on any door in the Ward…day or night ... and get help. Many of the grocery stores would even let you put your bill on a tab without ever having to worry about paying interest.”   – Palma Valeriote

Today you would likely be arrested if you knocked on anyone’s door at any hour of the night to get food in any town or city and we would hardly be allowed to rack up a credit card bill or make a purchase without paying interest.