Free Be Kind Birmingham Pop-Up Stores Return to Eight BPL Locations in 2026

Free Be Kind Birmingham Pop-Up Stores Provide Free Clothing/Essentials; No Questions Asked

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — There are no price tags. No checkout lines. No income requirements.

It’s a Birmingham nonprofit joining forces with 8 Birmingham Public Library locations across the city to assist neighbors in need.

The Birmingham Public Library (BPL), in collaboration with Be Kind Birmingham, will continue hosting Free To Shop Mobile Pop-Up Stores at eight branch locations throughout 2026.

The initiative provides free clothing, shoes, toiletries, and household essentials to individuals and families across Birmingham, no paperwork and no questions asked.

Ashley Griffice, executive director of Be Kind Birmingham, first collaborated with BPL in early 2022 through the Titusville Community Resource Give-Away program at the Titusville Branch Library. What began as a single-site collaboration has since expanded into a citywide initiative serving eight Birmingham Public Library locations.

“Be Kind Birmingham is built on the idea that kindness should be something people can actually access,” Griffice said. “By partnering with our libraries and bringing resources directly into neighborhoods, we’re able to remove barriers and meet people where they are, making sure no one in our community feels forgotten.”

By joining neighborhood libraries, trusted, accessible spaces embedded in the community, the nonprofit organization reaches residents who may lack transportation or access to traditional brick-and-mortar resources. Every participant is welcomed with dignity and respect.

In December 2025, Griffice received a 2025 Library Champion Award from the Jefferson County Public Library Association in recognition of her impact at BPL branches citywide. She was nominated by BPL’s West End Branch.

Growing Impact: Filling a Need

Behind every pop-up event is the Be Kind Birmingham warehouse, where thousands of donated clothing items and essentials are sorted and prepared each week for distribution. The warehouse is currently in need of major roof repairs.

Griffice began raising funds for the repair nearly two years ago, but those funds were redirected to cover critical repairs to the organization’s outreach bus, ensuring the Mobile Free Store could continue serving neighborhoods across Birmingham without interruption.

To sustain operations and protect donated inventory, the nonprofit is now seeking financial assistance to address the warehouse roof repairs. Anyone interested in helping can email Griffice directly at bekindbhm@gmail.com or donate on its website, www.bekindbirmingham.org

Be Kind Birmingham Library 2026 Schedule -March, May, July, September, November

Be Kind Birmingham Library 2026 Schedule -April, June, August, October, December

About Be Kind Birmingham

A nonprofit founded by Ashley Griffice in 2022, Be Kind Birmingham operates a Mobile Pop-Up Free Store serving underserved communities throughout the greater Birmingham area by providing free clothing, shoes, and essential personal items in a welcoming, non-judgmental environment. For more information or to support the warehouse repair effort, email bekindbhm@gmail.com.

Written by Roy L. Williams, Public Relations Specialist, Birmingham Public Library

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Free Be Kind Birmingham Pop-Up Stores Return to Eight BPL Locations in 2026

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