Reviewed by: Patience Itson
Come with us to our new favorite local thrift store + help a great cause
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If you’re like me and love the feeling of a good bargain hunt, you need to know about The Foundry Thrift Stores—where every purchase goes directly to the nonprofit’s life-changing work to help individuals recovering from addiction.
To get a better grasp on what The Foundry does and who it supports, we went shopping at the Pelham location, one of their two locations in Alabama. Here’s what we learned, plus some great items you can find like books and antique vases.
About The Foundry
DYK that 20 million Americans are suffering from substance abuse?
To change that statistic, The Foundry implements programming to guide participants toward better lifestyles.
To support their life-changing work, they run two local thrift stores that give people who are currently in recovery the opportunity to gain valuable skills.
Curious to know what this looked like in the life of a participant, we met up with Brittany, who shared her powerful testimony.
Meet Brittany
Brittany first discovered The Foundry at a low point in her life back in February 2024.
“I was in an abusive relationship on and off for 10 years. My courage went down and I didn’t even know if I was worth being a parent.
I came to the conclusion that I had enough. I needed a new, safe place with proper civility.”
Brittany
The following week, she started working at the ministry’s thrift store in Pelham.
When I sat down with Brittany, her love for this program and its people was evident. She told me she wanted to get better so she could go back home to her three-year-old twin daughters.
How The Foundry is changing Brittany’s life
The Foundry participants alternate between “Give Week” and “Grow Week.”
During Grow Week, the men and women at The Foundry to go to class, attend counseling sessions, resolve case-management issues and learn new skills.
Through classes and Bible studies, Brittany has seen support and inspiration like she’s never seen before.
“We learn about finding faith and resilience. Getting myself together in a godly presence brought my self-worth back. It strengthened me to be a good mother.”
Brittany
In Give Week, participants have the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in real-world settings.
This dynamic alternation between learning and application helps participants grow more resilient, resourceful and ready to face future challenges.
Make The Foundry Thrift Stores your go-to thrifting spot.
Support this life-changing mission
We couldn’t get enough of the items at the Pelham location. From clothes and shoes to furniture, The Foundry Thrift Stores will be your new favorite spot.
My friend got name-brand flannels and shirts, plus a DVD of her favorite movie.
I went back the next weekend and snagged some dining room chairs!
Plus, 100% of the money the thrift stores make directly helps The Foundry’s programming.
Check it out for yourself:
- Pelham
- Location: 3592 Pelham Pkwy, Pelham, AL 35124
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 9AM-9PM
- Cullman
- Location: 1636 2nd Ave SW, Cullman, AL 35055
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 9AM-8PM
Donate to The Foundry Thrift Stores
You can do more than just shop. Help this ministry change lives across Birmingham by donating some of your items.
Here’s how you can donate to The Foundry Thrift Stores:
- Call 205.424.2400 to have your items picked up.
- Drop off your items at the store during business hours.
The mission of The Foundry is simple: restore hope and rebuild lives through Christ-centered recovery.
Through Brittany’s life and countless others, this local ministry uncovers the beauty in people’s lives beyond their addiction.
Who knew your support could start with something as simple as thrift shopping?
Help rebuild lives when you donate or shop at The Foundry Thrift Stores.
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