We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Debbie Beck a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Debbie, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
A van and a dream – that’s how The Free Book Buggie (TFBB) got started. Debbie, a passionate reader since childhood, set out to find a solution to a growing problem in our communities: lack of access to age-appropriate children’s books. As a volunteer mom, she and a very good friend Sue, created an “I Love to Read,” program for their children’s elementary school that got bigger and better each year, for 11 years.While traveling in Brazil, Debbie and her daughter Meghan saw a colorful VW bus filled with books, surrounded by tables also filled with books. That was enough of an inspiration for the light bulb to go on. They sat down in the park with a tiny little notebook and brainstormed names for the nonprofit.Debbie knew that there were two challenges many families faced: financial resources to purchase books, and the transportation to get to the books. She set out to find a way to solve those challenges and the answer was – fill her van with children’s books, take them to children where they live and learn, and give them away for free. That mini van became known as The Free Book Buggie. The Free Book Buggie (TFBB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Eagan, Minnesota, serving the Minneapolis–St. Paul, Duluth, and Rochester metropolitan areas. Founded with the mission to expand access to books, foster a love of reading, and improve literacy outcomes for disadvantaged and marginalized children, TFBB works to empower young readers through free book distribution and community engagement.
TFBB promotes lifelong literacy through programming, advocacy, research, and strategic partnerships. Central to its efforts is collaboration with more than 300 schools and community organizations, which helps extend its reach into diverse communities across Minnesota.
At the heart of its work is the Buggie—a retrofitted, handicap-accessible shuttle bus—designed to create a fun and welcoming environment where children can board and explore a wide selection of free books. This interactive experience encourages kids to choose books that reflect their personal interests and spark curiosity, turning reading into a joyful habit.
TFBB believes that when children build strong literacy skills early, they are more likely to stay in school, graduate, and pursue post-secondary education or training. By ensuring equitable access to books, TFBB is helping children strengthen their reading proficiency, improve academic achievement, and unlock greater opportunities for their future.
The unique approach to this Idea is the Buggie – The shuttle bus and the whole idea was to take the preloved books and utilize them in better way rather they being disposed off.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Debbie Beck received her Master’s of Public and Nonprofit Administration in 2015 with no intention of ever starting a nonprofit. Three years later, after getting the idea for TFBB on a trip to Brazil, Debbie and her friend Sue put their passion for giving children access to free books into action. Debbie is the mother of two adult children, two dogs, and has four grand puppies. She loves reading but has found herself gravitating towards reading children’s books these days.
About Me and The Free Book Buggie
My name is Debbie Beck, and I’m the founder and executive director of The Free Book Buggie (TFBB) — a nonprofit organization driven by a single, powerful mission: to get books into the hands of children, especially those who might not otherwise have access to them.
My journey with The Free Book Buggie began with a simple observation that turned into a life-changing realization. I saw firsthand how many children in our communities lacked access to books at home, which is a major barrier to literacy, learning, and long-term success. I believe every child deserves the joy of choosing and owning their own books — not just borrowing them, but taking them home to keep.
What started as a grassroots effort to hand out books from the back of a car has grown into a fully mobile operation. Our signature “book buggies” — think colorful carts, wagons, and mobile stands — travel to schools, food shelves, community events, shelters, and more. Anywhere there are kids, we try to be there with books. And the best part? Every book is free, with no strings attached.
What We Offer
Free, High-Quality Children’s Books: New and gently used books for children of all ages, from board books for babies to chapter books and young adult novels.
Pop-up Literacy Events: We partner with local schools, nonprofits, and community events to host engaging book giveaway experiences.
Multilingual and Inclusive Titles: We actively collect and distribute books that reflect the diverse backgrounds, languages, and cultures of the children we serve.
Book Donation & Volunteer Opportunities: We offer easy ways for individuals, schools, and businesses to give back, from book drives to volunteering.
The Problems We Solve
Literacy Gaps: Research shows that kids with books at home are more likely to succeed in school. We aim to close the “book gap” by providing equitable access to reading materials.
Barriers to Book Ownership: Not every family can afford to buy books, and not every child lives near a library. We bring the books directly to where kids are.
Disconnection from Reading: Our events turn reading into something joyful, personal, and empowering. We let kids pick their own books — an experience that builds ownership and excitement around reading.
What Sets Us Apart
No Cost, No Catch: We never ask for payment, sign-ups, or return of books. We believe in unconditional access.
Mobile & Community-Based: We go directly to the heart of the community, reaching kids where they are — in parks, neighborhoods, shelters, and schools.
Kid-Centered Approach: We believe that choice is empowering, so we always allow children to choose their own books.
Sustainability & Reuse: We give new life to donated books and keep them circulating in the hands of readers who will love them.
What I’m Most Proud Of
What fills me with pride is seeing the look on a child’s face when they realize they can keep the book they’ve chosen — that it’s truly theirs. Since our founding, we’ve given away 480,000+ books and reached thousands of children and families. The ripple effect of literacy, empowerment, and joy from those moments is something I’ll never stop believing in.
What We Want You to Know
The Free Book Buggie is more than just books — it’s about access, equity, and empowerment. We are a movement of readers, dreamers, and doers who believe that something as simple as a book can change a life. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, donor, or young reader, we welcome you to join us on this journey.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
What helped build our reputation most is consistency, community presence, and authenticity. Here’s what I mean:
1. Showing Up Again and Again
We didn’t just appear once at a big event — we kept showing up, week after week, year after year. That steady presence, especially in underserved neighborhoods, helped people recognize that we weren’t just a one-time feel-good project. We were committed for the long haul.
2. Trust-Building Through Relationships
We built genuine relationships with schools, nonprofits, shelters, and local organizations. These groups became partners and advocates. When a school or shelter says, “Yes, The Free Book Buggie is coming — and it’s really worth it,” that carries a lot of weight.
3. Word of Mouth and Community Love
Parents, kids, volunteers — they started telling others about us. Many of our volunteers and supporters came from families we first served. That kind of organic word-of-mouth growth is incredibly powerful, and it only happens when people feel genuinely served and respected.
4. Mission Integrity
We stuck to our core promise: books are always free, and always given with dignity and no barriers. That consistency built trust and helped us stand out in a landscape where “free” often comes with conditions.
5. Visible, Joyful Impact
You can see the impact of our work in every event photo — kids holding books with huge smiles, families sharing stories, and tables of colorful books ready to be explored. We’ve been intentional about sharing that joy on social media, in newsletters, and with partners — and that visibility has fueled more support and engagement.
Bottom line: Our reputation wasn’t built overnight. It grew from living our mission, honoring our promises, and listening to the community we serve.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
1. Partnering with Trusted Community Organizations
We’ve focused on collaborating with schools, shelters, food pantries, and nonprofits that already have strong, trusted relationships with families. When we show up alongside these partners, people are more open to engaging with us. It removes barriers and builds instant credibility.
Example: A school invites us to their literacy night or a food shelf includes us during their distribution hours. Suddenly, we’re in front of hundreds of families who are already gathered — and they see us as a helpful, value-added resource, not a separate service they have to seek out.
2. Going Where the Kids Are
Rather than waiting for people to find us, we meet them where they are — in neighborhoods, apartment complexes, festivals, parks, and school events. Our mobile model lets us bring books directly to the community, which increases access and reach.
3. Consistent Social Media Presence
We use social media (especially Facebook and Instagram) to share our events, stories, and impact. By showing real people, real books, and real joy, we’ve been able to organically grow a following and attract both volunteers and new event partners.
4. Letting Kids and Families Be Our Ambassadors
One of our most powerful growth strategies is also the simplest: happy families spread the word. Kids proudly showing off their new books, parents telling neighbors, teachers requesting us again — word-of-mouth referrals have led to many of our most meaningful connections.
5. Being Reliable and Low-Barrier
Because we don’t require forms, sign-ups, or proof of need, families quickly learn that we’re easy to work with. That simplicity encourages repeat participation and builds lasting loyalty.
In short: We grow by being present, forming real relationships, and staying rooted in trust, accessibility, and joy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thefreebookbuggie.org
- Instagram: @freebookbuggie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freebookbuggie/
Image Credits
Not Applicable