Heart Of Alabama Food Bank

Programs: Our largest community outreach program results from our very structure. We are formed as a force multiplier, which provides increased opportunity for success to the local community agencies we support by collecting, sorting, storing (both dry/stable and cold/frozen) and distributing food. Along with four other smaller food banks, which we supervise, we have a service area reaching to 35 of alabama's 67 counties and more than 800 community agencies combating hunger of an increasing number of our neighbors in need to include; children, the elderly, the newly unemployed, the working poor, the homeless, the mentally challenged, victims of domestic violence and disasters. We have distributed more than 22 million pounds of vital nutrition annually since 2010, when we expanded our area of responsibility by 40% in order to assist an additional 10 grossly underserved counties. While it may seem counterintuitive; poverty, food insecurity and obesity can (and in alabama often do) co-exist in the same individual, family, and community. Recent studies have found direct associations between food insecurity and obesity. In 2011, one such study named alabama as the second most obese state in the country, with an obesity rate (in 2011) of 32. 3 percent. Mafb has developed a well-earned reputation of accomplishment, which has led to food industry providers entrusting us with ever-increasing amounts of nourishing fresh produce and food. These increases in nutrition-rich sustenance not only satisfies daily hunger needs, but re-enforces our exercise, nutrition and diet (end) program's emphasis on the nutritional benefits of fresh food for families, children and the elderly.

our mobile pantry (mp) program is the single most prolific community-building, outreach program we conduct to address the immediate hunger needs of a service area with 20. 98% of the population being food insecure, and 24. 31% of the adult and 34. 67% of the child populations living in poverty. In fy14 we distributed 3,822,909 lbs. Of immediate food security via this program, which delivers 5-7 tons of food to an average of 120-150 families in need in one place - at one time. In the last three years we've grown from 134 to 317 mp deliveries in fy14. This hyper-efficient program allows us to target remote communities in alabama's black belt - chronically among the most poverty-stricken regions in the nation, as well as, metropolitan areas through partnering with a growing list of local community agencies. Each mp agency must display their capability to verify and document legitimate need and then effectively distribute these substantial quantities of food - before they are considered eligible to schedule an mp delivery.

the national average of seniors (60 years-old and older) living in poverty is 9. 86%. Within the mafb service area that number jumps to 22. 09%. The most afflicted county we serve is currently at four times the national average - reaching an alarming rate of 36. 05%. Seniors - regardless of income - have different nutritional needs and are more likely to have difficulty preparing or consuming food due to limited mobility, cognitive impairments, and other age-related conditions. These challenges are amplified for low-income seniors trying to get by on a limited food budget. While the u. S. Department of agriculture (usda) supports a commodity supplemental food program (csfp), which provides low-income seniors monthly food assistance by providing food and funds to participating states: the state of alabama does not participate. Mafb provides monthly supplemental nutrition to seniors on a fixed income who often make ends meet by choosing between food, medication and tragically even shelter. Our senior supplement program (ssp) helps take concerns about senior food security off the table. Our ssp works within a sponsorship model. Ssp participating agencies and/or individual supporters donate $100 to address a sponsored senior's nutritional needs for supplemental nutrition for an entire year. Ssp seniors receive a monthly box of between 25 - 35 lbs. Of food, which has been packed with the special nutritional needs of seniors in mind. Our ssp packages are designed to provide nutrients typically lacking in the diet of seniors, including protein, calcium, potassium, magnesium, several vitamins, and fiber. Mafb even provides two additional boxes in november and december targeting the preparation of holiday meals. In fy14 the ssp roster expanded from 336 to 384.