FREE GEEK is a 501(c)(3) not for profit community organization (in Portland, Oregon) that recycles used technology to provide computers, education, internet access and job skills training to those in need in exchange for community service.
In other words, they distribute Linux on refurbished computers to people, in exchange for time helping to sort the equipment and determine what is reusable and what needs to be disposed. They derive an income from reselling, recycling, donations and other fundraising activites. It's also a great hang out, if you happen to be in Portland, w/ free wifi.
The freeki wiki is a good resource:
http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/Main_Page
And there is a wikipedia page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_geek
There's a modest effort underway to launch a Freegeek operation in Hamilton
