I have volunteered with ACFS in Sylacauga, Alabama for 7 or 8 years now, watching their operation, their reach, and their impact grow steadily, and all signs indicate that their growth will continue. I have found the organization to be remarkably compassionate, effective, efficient, and ambitious, operating with a tiny paid staff supporting a small army of enthusiastic, inspired and dedicated volunteers. They provide a few days' worth of food to a thousand families or more each month and supplemental backpack food packages to over two thousand students each week, using a combination of food donated by grocery stories in two counties and food purchased or donated from regional food banks. They bat far above their weight in impacting hunger in Talladega County and the surrounding counties in Alabama and I have always been grateful for the opportunity to participate in this worthwhile endeavor.
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I have volunteered with this inspiring organization for the last year and a half. ACFS has grown over the past few years from operating out of the back of a truck to operating from a permanent facility with a stockroom and walk-in cooler and freezer space. They provide a portion of the household food supply for over 600 families each month, giving a combination of food donated by grocery stores and food purchased using cash donations. Because they have access to bulk low-cost food purchases from the Alabama Food Bank, and because they make regular pickups of donated food from local grocery stores, they are able to very efficiently maximize the value of what is given to recipients compared with the magnitude of cash donations the group receives. I think it makes a real difference in the food security of those who receive the aid. The all-volunteer staff are joyful, motivated, and loving to the people who come through the doors each month. It is a privilege to take part in this activity.
Grace Klein Community is honored to partner with AL Childhood Food Solutions. If we work together, we can love the entire state of Alabama with the hope of Jesus. Food is a resource which opens doors to relationships and relationships is what Jesus uses to bring restoration. We are believing our collective yes will accomplish more than we can even imagine! Let's keep running together!!
ACFS is a special organization dedicated to help the food insecure in Central Alabama. I have been fortunate enough to serve a board member for almost 10 years and we have seen enormous growth during that time. The most important statistic to me is for every $1 donated we are able to serve over $5.75 worth of food yielding an incredible 575% ROI. This is done through a combination of the many volunteer man hours and many donations of food on a weekly basis. Join us in the battle against hunger in our back yard.
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In the Book of James, Chapter 2 verse 7 we are told, “Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being by itself.” (New American Standard Version, Holy Bible) Jim and Linda Jones prayed together about 10 years ago asking God what they should do in their retirement. They heard God say to them, “Feed the children.” So, they started doing just that, out of the back of a station wagon. They put their faith to work. God has blessed their works. The organization that grew out of the back of the station wagon became a 501(c)(3) corporation called Alabama Childhood Food Solutions (ACFS). In the 11 years since the corporation was created it has grown to over 400 volunteers each year (and 4 employees) giving in excess of 18,000 hours of their time to distribute over 900,000 pounds of food (this year) to those who are food insecure in the counties surrounding Sylacauga, Alabama. ACFS is reaching kids in schools and families in their homes. With the help of individuals and businesses contributing time and money, ACFS grows and serves more of our neighbors each year. As the volunteers and employees of ACFS continue to serve in faith, we pray that others will join us in our efforts to feed those who are hungry in central Alabama. Those who serve ACFS continue to prove their faith is alive and certainly not dead.
Joe Starnes, CPA, Treasurer of ACFS
I started volunteering with my church group once a month and I saw how many families ACFS helped and was so impressed with the work they did and their dedication to feeding all the hungry families that come there for food. I was motivated to do more because I saw all the good that ACFS does so I volunteered to start driving one of ACFS trucks that goes and picks up food for them to give out to hungry families. I am so blessed to be a part of ACFS.
ACFS serves the community around Sylacauga, Alabama. As a volunteer for 2 years now, I am amazed at the love, prayers, and time that people give each week to those suffering with food insecurity. Each family receives around 80 lbs of food each month consisting of fresh vegetables, fruit, lbs of meat, bread, and desserts. We also pack 2000 bags each week and send to the area schools to help children in need over the weekend. What an honor to serve and love on the people in the local community. Very well-run organization.
ACFS is a community where all people are welcomed. I have witnessed volunteers share so much more than nutritious foods with children and families in central Alabama who are fighting food insecurity. Volunteers show up daily to ACFS with smiles on their faces, prepared to share the love of Jesus with others. The impact of this organization reaches beyond bags of food— it is a safe space for all people to be met where they are in all seasons of life.
I am a volunteer. I volunteer a few times a week. Wonderful how many people in the community this non-profit serves. They are very well organized and efficient. Nothing goes to waste.
For 10 years Alabama Childhood Food Solutions has been working to solve the problem of the lack of food for families and school children. In addition to volunteering with the charity to pack 2 large grocery boxes for clients, I also work in a local county school and see the direct benefit of hungry children getting a bag of food to take home for the weekend. These children receive free breakfast and lunch at school, but often have very little to eat over the weekend. ACFS is making sure every family that signs up get a small bag of food for that child. This non-profit is a very worthy cause that can benefit from your support.
Alabama Childhood Food Solutions provides our volunteers, donors and partners the organization needed to care for those in our community that are hurting and hungry. ACFS is a faith-based food distribution center with the mission of providing compassionate care for children and families battling food insecurity whenever and wherever needed while pointing them to the gospel. We are committed to building a community where hunger and food insecurity do not exist.
ACFS has grown exponentially since beginning in 2011 and now has hundreds of volunteers joining the fight with gifts of time, resources, and money to alleviate hunger and food insecurity in Central Alabama. The Backpack Program and the Family Food Distribution Program have and will continue to make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable in some of the most impoverished areas of our state.
I am seeing more families than ever reach out to ACFS for help and ACFS is positioned to grow to meet the needs of our neighbors. The volunteers are on pace to serve over 6000 daily shifts in 2023 to meet those needs. These heroes are fundamental to the success of ACFS work throughout the community. ACFS saw a 17 percent increase in 2022 and have seen a 25 percent increase in the first half of 2023. At this current rate ACFS will double community impact by 2025.
ACFS is an awesome organization! It is well run and people who serve there have genuine hearts to serve others. It is amazing how they meet the individual needs of so many by feeding them physically and spiritually. It is a privilege to volunteer with them.
I started working here a few months ago and have seen many times when someone from this organization have gone out of their way to help someone in need. It is not always food but also car repairs and delivery services to help someone who needs a ride.
Jesus said , as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me.I have been involved with ACFS for over 2 years and I have seen God blessing this ministry. Thankful to be a part of it.
Alabama Childhood Food Solutions and all the volunteers that support the effort to end food insecurity in Central Alabama are doing an amazing job. They support just under 2000 school children each week with food bags and provide food to 800 families in need each month. Keep up the great work!!!
The volunteers at ACFS make it the best in the business. They love the Lord and loving on his people. It is genuine service with a smile.
The foodbank provides a generous, healthy, and diverse portion of food each month to over 700 families, as well as 1800 weekend meals each week to children in local school districts.
The location is clean, organized, and maintained by the love and sacrifice of many, many volunteers. It would not be possible to do all that they do without dedicated support from the community.
ACFS has left a lasting impact on myself and my community. The community that is cultivated among volunteers creates a warm and welcoming environment for all to come. I am so grateful to work alongside the leaders of ACFS and to have the opportunity to share our faith through this ministry.
For ten years, the food insecure students of our school system have had food to eat on weekends. Thanks to Alabama Childhood Food Solutions, our students and their families have an ally in their fight against hunger. Serving hundreds of students in Talladega County Schools alone, ACFS has made it their mission to ensure full hearts, souls, and bellies. Without their gift, our students would not have nutritious meals on Saturday and Sunday. ACFS is a blessing to so many in need.
I have been involved with Alabama Childhood Food Solutions for over ten years and have always appreciated the vision our founders Jim and Linda Jones had of feeding the food insecure children in central Alabama by providing weekend food backpacks to kids who receive free and reduced meals at school, but when the weekend rolled around, they often didn't know where their meals were going to come from. These food bags would supplement the needed nutrition these kids needed over the weekend. Quickly ACFS branched into feeding needy families in central Alabama as well. Currently 1800+ food backpacks are distributed weekly and 800+ families are served by receiving 70-pounds of food monthly. ACFS is driven by the countless hours the volunteers spend on fulfilling the mission of serving those the most vulnerable, children and their families.
I love the mission to feed food insecure children and families. The clients are precious to this organization and the volunteers are special family as well.
Love this ministry! Children who are hungry are given a food bag for the weekend in central Alabama. Some of the teachers who give out the bags to the children say they jump for joy when they receive theirs. Nearly 750 families come once a month to get nearly 90 pounds of groceries. When we are preparing food for distribution, we have a saying. “If you won’t eat it, throw it out”. Men and women receiving groceries come up to you and hug your neck and say thank you. They tell you how much the groceries mean to them.
I have been affiliated with this nonprofit for about 12 years. Now that I am retired, I volunteer 3 days a week. I see first-hand what a blessing this organization is to the local communities that it serves.
Alabama Childhood Food Solutions is a five star non-profit! Thousands of non-perishable food bags are shared each month with children who don't have enough food in their houses for the weekend. About 70 to 90 pounds of food each month is donated to the poorest of poor. Poverty stricken families, like the homeless, veterans, elderly, single parent families, handicapped and the mentally challenged are just a few of those who receive food and love from ACFS. ACFS is an all volunteer non-profit except for one paid leader. 90% of donations go to food and procurement.
ACFS is an awesome charity needing you to volunteer. I know there are lots of volunteer opportunities. But this opportunity allows you to see the difference you made by simply looking the recipients in the eye. It is a great place to volunteer with awesome leaders and other great volunteers. Try it and see what I am talking about.
The best thing about ACFS is the people. The people who volunteer there are amazing. They are from all walks of life and backgrounds but they one thing in common - a tremendous love for serving others. Last distribution we had a new client who had never experienced ACFS. As she was leaving, she stopped me to make sure I knew she had encountered the nicest group of people ever. Also the people we serve are amazing. They truly appreciate the help that ACFS gives them. This is a five star organization that far exceed expectations.
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WOW! I am so impressed and excited with the work being done by Alabama Childhood Food Solutions. I am impressed with the leadership that continues to find ways to reach more food insecure neighbors in my area. I am impressed with the volunteers who joyfully give of their time to serve. I am impressed with the business community with giving food that ACFS can use. I am impressed with churches in the area who gather in support. Alabama Childhood Food Solutions is doing so much but could even more with more help! Let's all work together to meet the needs of all food insecure people in Alabama.
I can't say enough about ACFS. They are truly the most passionate group of people that I have ever met. They help so many kids and families, and they inspired my friends & family to help our local food pantry in New Jersey. Jim & Linda work tirelessly to help raise awareness about childhood hunger & how easy it is to make a difference in someone's life. I wish that there were more people like them in this world.
Alabama Childhood Food Solutions is a very important organization in our area. Without them, their would be a lot of food wasted while many people go hungry. They selflessly devote time and hard work to make sure people (especially children) have enough food to eat. They secure surplus food donations, then store, organize and distribute it. It's amazing how God is using them to feed the hungry in our area and beyond. They are very organized and hospitable. Those who receive help are met with compassion, not judgement. Thank God for people like you!
Alabama Childhood Food recently completed it's sixth year of serving the hungry in five counties in Central Alabama. As a all-volunteer organization we are able to use 94% of every dollar to purchase, transport and store food.
With donations, grants, in kind food from area grocers and community help we can serve up to 6 meals for each dollar received.
Alabama Childhood Food Solutions is an extraordinary agency providing hundreds of healthy snacks each week to children throughout Talladega County Schools. Their service to our students and their families is needed to help combat food insecurity in Talladega County. Their giving spirit resonates through their kindness and generosity and goes above and beyond expectations for helping others.
Suounty Schools
Alabama Childhood Food Solutions (ACFS) is an organization that the communities it serves has grown to trust and rely upon. ACFS provides food to food-insecure children in five counties in Central Alabama through both a school backpack service as well as a food distribution service for families in need. They recognized the childhood food insecurity problem plaguing children in the state and decided to do something about it. They make an impact on hunger in Alabama and beyond through the loving programs they have established.
Linda and Jim Jones had a vision to make sure no child was without food in their county. Through pray and hard work they saw their ministry come to life, Alabama Childhood Food Solutions. This nonprofit organization has grown so rapid they had to move several times to have a place to store and distribute food. A.C.F.S. are feeding people who otherwise would go hungry. No child should go to school hungry and wonder where their next meal is coming from. The is a wonderful ministry, Jim and Linda are the heart and soul of A.C.F.S. please consider being part of this ministry.
I have been part of this organization from near the beginning. It has been the most amazing journey to see the growth from the love and passion for helping others beginning with JIM and Linda Jones. Their passion has spread to everyone that ever meets them. ACFS has become a support system to help feed thousands of people in need .Through God's love and belssings, and the leadership of Jim &Linda it has been an honor to serve God and all the wonderful families that we help at ACFS. I have never served for a more wonderful cause with so many amazing people that work together at the ACFS. I look forward to every day that I serve here. I have received more joy in my life than I can ever give back by being part of the ACFS. I have grown close to many of the families that we serve and love each and every one of them.
I learned about ACFS about 3 years ago. Since that time I have become familiar with the ACFS operation as a volunteer. I would challenge anyone to find a more dedicated group of leaders and volunteers. At the top, the founders, Linda and Jim Jones, provide a stellar example of selfless service and sacrifice in fulfilling the mission of feeding the hungry and needy. The motto: “Feeding hungry faces...One smile at a time”, speaks to their mission and dedication.
They and the board of directors spend countless hours supervising, mentoring and working alongside the many volunteers who feed several hundred families and thousands of children each month. Great leaders inspire others to share their vision and zeal; that is a true blessing to those served and those serving. Every dollar received and every hour of service goes directly to those in need; that is 100% efficiency! Most importantly, ACFS strives to be the light and love of Jesus in humble service to those in need.
GN
ACFS reaches 1000's of children by sending them home on Friday with a 'backpack" of food. Otherwise these children wouldn't have food to eat for the entire weekend. In addition, twice a month they give out food to 300 - 400 families who are low income and can't get enough food through the food stamp programs, etc. This charity was started by a husband and wife, Jim and Linda Jones, and has grown many times over. They now have numerous volunteers who go to the distribution place to help put these packages together, and go to stores who supply food as well. Jim and Linda are still just as involved as they were in the beginning, and many people have come to rely on their help.
I have been affiliated with ACFS for a few years now as a volunteer and helper on the distribution days. I also assist picking up products and helping with unloading to appropriate areas.
It is an absolutely wonderful community food outlet that helps those in need in the area of Sylacauga, Alabama.
It would be almost impossible to find a more dedicated and loving couple to handle this huge project , but they do it with hearts filled with unconditional love.
Our church works closely with ACFS which is how we learned of them and their amazing ministry. Jim and Linda have created something wonderful for the community. They share not only food but hope and joy. They are intimately involved in all aspects and are constantly working alongside volunteers with nonstop smiles. They have opportunities for young and old to help and be helped. My kids love working at the warehouse. Cannot give enough compliments and cheers for ACFS.