Call for Solidarity with the Birmingham Free Store Following Sponsorship Cuts

The Birmingham Free Store is seeking new sources of funds and supplies after losing a major sponsor.

The Free Store is an absolutely incredible anarchist mutual aid project in Birmingham, Alabama. It’s just what it sounds like – a store where everything is free – but it’s also so much more. It’s a much needed queer-affirming space, a host for many radical events, a hub for mutual aid distribution, a safe place for all marginalized people, and a source of vital support and safety for a primarily poor and Black neighborhood in Alabama. They’ve been providing lifesaving supplies such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, bleach, and more throughout the pandemic, among a slew of other resources.

Recently, they have lost the support of some major donors that were helping to keep the store running. Without that consistent funding, it’ll be increasingly difficult to provide those resources to the over 300 people who depend on them. That’s why they need help from all you wonderful allies and accomplices across the world.

View this post on Instagram

Times are hard, friends. Please, if you're able to help us to continue operating at full capacity by donating, hosting drives or even just sharing this post, please do!! We really really need some community care right now. We also launched our free seed library today and it was cleared almost completely out in just a few hours!! Yaaaaay!!! That means two things: 1) The program is successful 2) We need more seed!! If you have seed packets you'd like to donate, follow the donation instructions in this post. Seeds would also be a great thing to ship to our new P.O. box for all you out of towners ? And lastly, if you want to make a financial donation, consider becoming a patron at patreon.com/bhamfreestore, or giving to our venmo (@bhamfreestore) or our cashapp ($bhamfreestore). If there is a specific thing you'd like us to spend your money on, put it in the note! ? Thank yall so much for everything! Its incredible what we can do for each other! FREE MINDS FREE PEOPLE FREE STORE #freestore #anarchyinalabama #anarchy #bham #birmingham #mutualaid #freeseeds #emergencyaid #acab

A post shared by The Birmingham Free Store (@bhamfreestore) on Sep 25, 2020 at 4:28pm PDT

Here are a few things you can do to help:

• Subscribe to the Free Store’s patreon to provide stable, recurring support that can be relied on for continued operation.
• Make a one-time monetary donation to their venmo (@bhamfreestore) or cashapp ($bhamfreestore)
• Donate hygiene supplies, household items, seed packets, pantry items, communist propaganda, or anything else that they can give away in bulk. If you live in Birmingham, bring it to 2030 Bessemer Rd during operating hours (see their social media for more info). If you live elsewhere, you can now mail donations to P.O. Box 110429, Birmingham, AL, 35211-0429
• Help get them connected to big donors, sponsors, grants, suppliers, distros, and co-conspirators – especially those that align with their values. Something like an anarchist mask-sewing or sanitizer-brewing collective that’s willing to give a discount in solidarity would be kickass. Other, less kickass connections would also be very appreciated. For instance, they don’t currently have access to wholesale suppliers, which was previously facilitated by their sponsor. Email [email protected] if you have any info that might help.
• Local Bham/Alabama businesses, organizations, nonprofits – let’s collab. There are several ways you might be able to help, such as allowing the Free Store to put up a donation box in your building which they will come by to empty every week (or as often as needed). Again, email [email protected] if you’re interested in supporting.
• Spread the word!

The Free Store has been such an awesome development for Bham, and we’d love to see it continue to provide for the West End community throughout the rest of this pandemic and beyond. Please spread this message through any channels available to you. Thank you, and solidarity.