How Does Food Banking Work
The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama operates as a food distribution center. We purchase food from industry sources, and we receive surplus food reclaimed from local grocery stores. In turn, we distribute that food to over 230 nonprofits in the community who act as our agency partners. The agencies receive food from the Community Food Bank and distribute that food to those in need, free of charge.
We do not distribute food directly from our facility, but we operate a number of public food distributions, called Mobile Pantries, which we host around our 12-county area. When we identify a gap, either geographically or demographically, that leaves specific populations vulnerable to hunger, we operate direct meal programs that foster healthy food access for those at risk of hunger. You can find these distributions on the calendar on our Find Food page.
Community Food Bank Of Central Alabama Celebrates 40 Years Of Service
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. CBS 42 and our parent company Nexstar Media are highlighting efforts to end hunger across the country. This week, the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama is celebrating four decades of service in the community.
The Food Bank marked the milestone with a special luncheon at The Harbert Center.
Theyve been in the trenches, on the front lines, for all those years helping their community, said Clair Babineaux-Fontenot.
Feeding America CEO Clair Babineaux-Fontenot was in town for the celebration. She said food banks like this are essential especially in more rural areas like Alabama.
We see need across the whole country and then there is really acute need especially in the rural south. It makes the work thats done in this community all the more important because some of the deepest need is right here, said Babineaux-Fontenot.
Interim Executive Director Nicole Williams said one in five people experience food insecurity here in Alabama and that need is only growing.
With inflation, and gas prices and things like that families have been really struggling and were here to serve those families. Last year we did serve 16 million meals into the community. But if we were able to actually meet that meal gap in the 12 counties in central Alabama, we would need to do about 37 minion meals. So we still have a lot of work to do, said Williams.
How We Fight Hunger
Every day, the eight food banks in Alabama partner with a statewide network of food donors, emergency food pantries, and soup kitchens to provide food to hungry people. Fighting hunger requires significant funding for every step of the processfrom acquiring food, to storing the food, to transporting the food to people in need.
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Cereal Drive To Benefit Community Food Bank Of Central Alabama
Join Our Community-Wide Effort to Provide a Healthy Breakfast to Those in Need
. Brookwood Baptist Health is leading a community effort to provide a healthy breakfast to those struggling with hunger and is inviting the public to help. The Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive benefiting the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama runs through June 9. Citizens Baptist Medical Center cereal donations will benefit the Samaritan House in Talladega, AL.
At Brookwood Baptist Health we recognize the impact hunger has on health and nutrition, and our staff is eager to make a difference, said Keith Parrott., President of Brookwood Baptist Health. We recognize the importance of beginning each day with a nutritious breakfast and, through this drive, we hope to help the many in our community struggling with food insecurity.
Donations of healthy cereal to the Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive will be collected at each of the Brookwood Baptist Health hospitals. Financial donations received during the campaign will be matched up to $100,000 by Saint Francis Healthcares parent company, Tenet Healthcare.
Cereal donation drop-off locations include:
The community can also help by making a financial donation to help purchase items such as milk, fruit and lean protein needed to complete a well-balanced breakfast. Donations can be made at GiveEffect. All donations will benefit the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama.
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Interested In Becoming An Agency Partner
The Montgomery Area Food Bank works with over 260 food pantries, soup kitchens, residential facilities, and childrens programs across 12 counties in the river region of Alabama. We supply them with a variety of foods including meats, canned goods, fruits, vegetables, bread, and rice. There is no charge for the food, though we do request what is called a cost-sharing fee to assist with freight, storage, and sourcing expenses. The fee varies depending upon the item but is no more than sixteen cents per pound. Regularly, we provide fresh produce, eggs, nuts, or other items free for our agencies at pickup, no fee at all.
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Host A Food Or Fund Drive
You can host a Peer-to-Peer Fund Drive to help raise donations for the Community Food Bank. Donations allow us to put your dollars toward the greatest area of need. Because $1 can provide 4 meals, you can make a huge difference with anything you raise.
Food Drives are always a great way to help support our mission, and a great way to get your school, church, or business involved in helping fight hunger. We’ve created a Registration Toolkit to help make your food drive the best it can be, so be sure to read up for some tips and tricks.
Community Food Bank Of Central Alabama To Distribute 25k Holiday Food Boxes
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Community Food Bank of Central Alabamas annual Holiday Food Box Program will feed 25,000 households this year in central Alabama.
The Holiday Food Boxes contain over 24 pounds of shelf-stable food items and come with a box of produce as well as protein such as chicken and pork.
The need for meals across central Alabama is constantly increasing, and our neighbors are making impossible choices between food and medicine, said Community Food Bank of Central Alabama Interim Executive Director, Nicole Williams. During the holiday season, our mission means more than ever as we aim to ensure our neighbors facing hunger can experience some hope and joy this season and enjoy a holiday meal with family.
The upcoming November distribution schedule is as follows:
Thursday, Nov. 10 Talladega Superspeedway
Holiday Food Box distribution takes place Thursday, Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. The distribution will feed 600 households. The Talladega Superspeedway is located at 3366 Superspeedway Blvd, Lincoln 35160.
Tuesday, Nov. 15 Church of the Highlands Fultondale
Taking place Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 9 a.m. at the Church of the Highlands Fultondale campus , Winn-Dixie will provide volunteers, turkeys, and non-perishable food for 300 households.
For more information on The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama or its Holiday Box Program, visit www.Feedingal.org. View the full distribution calendar here.
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What We Aim To Solve
Hunger and health are deeply connected, and interventions are needed for community health and well-being. But when people do not have enough food or must choose inexpensive foods with low-nutritional value, it can seriously impact their health. The Community Food Bank works to eliminate barriers to fresh, nutritious food.Feeding America estimates there were 224,920 individuals in our service area who experienced food insecurity at some point during the year 2018 before the pandemic. To meet this need, 45,661,684 lbs of food would be needed annually. In 2020, Feeding America estimated that the number of individuals in need increased to 273,340. To meet this need, 55,491,573 lbs of food is needed annually. In Central Alabama 1 in 4 children and 1 in 6 adults experience hunger on a regular basis.
Community Food Bank Of Central Alabama Appoints New Ceo
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala.
The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama has appointed a new CEO.
Nicole Williams took the post, effective Nov. 18. She had been appointed interim in late February 2022.
In 2020, Williams was the agency’s first Director of Development.
She had previous nonprofit experience at the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Sight Savers America, Kid One Transport, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
In a statement, Williams said in part, 1 in 5 people experience food insecurity in central Alabama and this need has been amplified in recent years due to the pandemic, supply chain issues and inflation. Together as a community, we can support our neighbors in need. Along with our agency partners, donors, board and staff we can bring hope and nourishment to those who experience hunger. I look forward to continuing the great work of the Food Bank as we work toward our mission to feed people in need today and foster collaborative solutions to end hunger tomorrow.
Board president Mary Alice Kline said Williams “is uniquely qualified to lead our organization at this point in our growth trajectory, and we are looking forward to the many contributions that she will make toward closing the meal gap for our neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama supplied more than 16.2 million meals a year to more than 230 food pantries, shelters, and children’s programs.
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Food Banks Store And Distribute Food
Once the food bank receives a shipment of food, it inspects for quality and sorts and re-packs the food and grocery products for distribution to member agencies throughout its service area. This includes refrigerated storage for perishable items like milk and eggs. Collectively, Alabama food banks distributed 48 million pounds of food to agencies and outlets in 2011.
Were A Community Built On Care
Formerly Brookwood Medical Center and Baptist Health System, Brookwood Baptist Health unifies two of the largest resources for high-quality, affordable healthcare for the citizens of Central Alabama. With roots extending nearly a century, the networks community of care is comprised of five acute care hospitals with more than 1,700 licensed beds: Brookwood Baptist Medical Center, Princeton Baptist Medical Center, Shelby Baptist Medical Center, Walker Baptist Medical Center and Citizens Baptist Medical Center.
Brookwood Baptist Health also provides patients with the largest primary care network in the state, which includes approximately 60 primary and specialty care clinics approximately 1,500 affiliated physicians and nearly 7,300 employees. Through innovative and compassionate patient care, our collective effort will strengthen our mission to empower our communities to live happier, healthier lives.
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Community Food Bank Of Central Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
We feed people in need today and foster collaborative solutions to end hunger tomorrow.We accomplish this mission by supplying millions of meals per year to over 230 food pantries, shelters and childrens programs in 12 counties in Central Alabama. Our aim is to ensure people in need can access emergency food near where they live. When we identify a gap in this network that leaves specific populations vulnerable to hunger, we operate direct meal programs. For example, we provide fresh produce and groceries to seniors, children at risk of hunger during school breaks, patients facing chronic illness, first-time mothers and others in need. For easy access, we deliver to key locations like schools, senior housing facilities, medical clinics and more.The Community Food Bank also incubates social enterprises that promote nutrition, prevents wholesome food from going to waste and tests new initiatives that go beyond charity to create healthy food access for all.
Thanksgiving 202: List Of Alabama Food Banks For Free Thanksgiving Meal
A food bank held by Shepherd Supple Mission, the City of Moody , New Life Church and The Gathering Place helped 600 St. Clair County families this morning get needed food. 600 food boxes, 1,000 gallons of milk and lots of produce were given away at the event at the Moody Civic Center. .Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com
As Alabamians prepare for Thanksgiving, food banks across the state are trying to keep up with increased need from community members due to rising food costs.
Weve had a bigger need this year than weve ever had, said Jean Rykaczweski, director of the West Alabama Food Bank.
Inflation, which has driven the higher costs at the grocery store and other areas, has been the biggest factor contributing to that increase, said Rykaczweski. People with fixed incomes, like the elderly who rely on social security or people who rely on food stamps, have been the most impacted, as have people who work low wage jobs whose salaries cant keep up with increasing prices.
In Alabama, about 17% of adults and nearly 25% of children are food insecure, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.
This winter really scares me because the price of heating a house has gone up so much that people are gonna have to make hard decisions this year. Am I gonna turn my heat on? Or am I going to eat or am I going to buy my medicine?
But the cost of food has gone up so much that they arent sure how theyll offset their costs.
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Volunteer At A Mobile Pantry
If youre interested in volunteering face-to-face with your community, consider joining our team of volunteers who assist with our monthly mobile pantry distributions at sites all across our 12-county area.
This is an especially good opportunity for those who live outside of Birmingham, as we have regular distributions in Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Walker, and Winston Counties.
If you have any questions, email the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@feedingal.org! Sometimes these opportunities are not posted.
How It Works:
We partner with over 260 food pantries, churches, and nonprofits across our 12-county service area. We provide those partner agencies with food that they distribute free of charge. Times and days are subject to change, so be sure to call before attending.
The Community Food Bank also hosts a number of free food distributions throughout the month, called Mobile Pantries, and they are listed in the Calendar below.
Tips
- When going to a Partner Agency, be sure to call before you go. Times and locations may change, and some agencies are By Appointment Only.
- Mobile Pantry distributions provide food to households and are first-come, first-served. If you need food for more than one household, be sure to have one adult present for each household.
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