Be a Blessing Birmingham helps to support the homeless population of the city

Blessing Birmingham

One woman’s quest to serve the neighbors of our downtown homeless community

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BE A BLESSING BIRMINGHAM

Be a Blessing Birmingham provided pizza to participants after receiving Covid vaccines.

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE

After earning her Bachelor of Science in history and political science at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa and attending Florida Coastal School of Law, Munford, Alabama, native Erica Robbins found herself working and living in downtown Birmingham. And while the day-to-day activity of downtown is eye-catching, it was something under the highway—or someone, rather—that caught Erica’s attention.

“I had a view of the road, and I would look out my window and notice someone sitting under the bridge,” she explains. Erica couldn’t help but check in on the man. She learned he was a married veteran and a father. Upon returning from war, the man under the bridge sturggled with post-traumatic stress disorder and was unable to be confined to small spaces. He felt most comfortable outside. “I began to call him neighbor, affectionately,” says Erica.

Wanting to put action behind her desire to help, Erica began volunteering at shelters, but she still felt unfulfilled. So, she appealed to those closest to her for help. “I used social media to ask friends and family to help collect essential hygiene items,” she says. “Then I drove around the city looking for people who needed donations. Eventually, they began looking for me. And this was the beginning of Be a Blessing Birmingham.”

Continuing to call the people whom she serves “neighbors,” Erica founded Be a Blessing Birmingham to be just that: a blessing. “We provide to our neighbors,” she says. On the third Saturday each month, Be a Blessing Birmingham hosts Blessing Days downtown at Linn Park. “Our team transports tubs of sorted clothes, shoes, snacks, and 200 packed bags to Linn Park downtown.” There, distribution lines are set up for volunteers to pass out items to the neighbors. “Each person receives a hygiene kit, two rolls of toilet paper, a pair of socks, and bottled water. Women receive additional products to meet individual needs,” says Erica. “We provide each person with an

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF BE A BLESSING BIRMINGHAM

Be a Blessing Birmingham provided pizza to participants after receiving Covid vaccines.

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outfit, a pair of shoes, and seasonally appropriate aids to remain comfortable no matter the weather.” The group also serves breakfast. “Starting something new can be difficult sometimes,” she says of her endeavor, “but I have received so much help from the community.”

Part of that help came in the form of fundraising. After 15 months, Be a Blessing Birmingham raised $60,000 and Erica was able to purchase the city’s first mobile showering station, called Shower Power. “The Shower Power is a fullservice showering station with handicap-accessible stalls that allow the homeless community to shower,” says Erica. The only thing they’re missing is a truck, she explains. “Our neighbors are counting on one to help them with daily needs, so I am hoping we’ll be able to secure one, which will give our neighbors access to full-service shower stations. And, hopefully, we can put initiatives in place to help them regain their steps in life. “

Considering recent increased health care needs, Erica says her favorite part is just “being able to provide for our neighbors. We have hosted ice cream socials,and even a pizza party while our neighbors received the Covid-19 vaccination. I love being able to help others, and Be a Blessing Birmingham is an organization I am very proud of—I am trying so hard to get our neighbors the help they need in every way.”

Upcoming dates for Linn Park Blessing Days are September 18, October 16, November 20, and December 18. Visit beablessingbirmingham.com to sign up to volunteer.

SHARE THE LOVE

Be a Blessing Birmingham gratefully accepts donations of the following items at drop-off locations around town. Snacks: tuna kits, Vienna sausage, granola bars, individual bags of chips, cookies, candies, snack cakes, and bottled water Breakfast items: coffee, tea, juice, creamer, sweetener, pastries, rolls, sausages, paper plates, cups, napkins, stirrers Hygiene: shampoo/conditioner, soap, hand sanitizer, full-size toothpaste and deodorant, lotion, sunscreen, baby wipes, toilet paper, toothbrushes, razors, lip balm, washcloths, combs, brushes, and individual packs of tissues Women’s needs: bras, panties, tennis shoes, socks, and plus-size clothing Men’s needs: underwear, socks, pants, shirts, and tennis shoes General needs: backpacks, totes, duffels, and reusable shopping bags

DROP-OFF LOCATIONS: Bizarre the Coffee Bar

(217 22nd St. N.); Calera Orthodontics (101 Co Rd. 87); Roo’s Place (2744 Mt. Olive Rd.); 31 Escape (2015 Decatur Hwy.); State Farm (313 Fieldstown Rd. Ste. 101); Yellow Hammer Creative (2821 2nd Ave. S.); Shu Shop (1820 3rd Ave. N.); Holistic Hydration (796 Montogmery Hwy.); ErgoScience (201 Office Park Dr. Ste. 150); Signage (1307 Decatur Hwy.) and First Commercial/ Synovus Bank locations: 550 Montgomery Hwy.; 2020 Patton Chapel Rd.; 800 Shades Creek Pkwy.; 109 S. Chalkville Rd.; 102 Inverness Corners; 215 Richard Arrington Blvd.