The average food price has skyrocketed due to corona virus pandemic and recent events. The FAO Food Price Index has saw a fresh record high of nearly 160 points.
A shocking 60% price increase over the 2014-2016 base period shows that hunger is a public health issue of critical importance.
The most vulnerable demographic of society is taking the brunt of this economic pressure. Now more than ever, low-income families must rely on Alabama Free Clinics, Alabama Food Stamps, and food banks.
This guide will list helpful information about Food Bank in Jefferson County, Alabama and organizations that can help curb hunger, how you can use their services and where to find them.
What is a Food Bank?
Food banks are non-profit charitable organizations that assist financially vulnerable populations by distributing food. Their main objectives is to help low-income individual and families by providing food.
They will work through other 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens. Sometimes they distribute the food themselves via mobile pantry.
Food Bank in Jefferson County, Alabama serves as a single collection and distribution point for food donations. They operate much like a for-profit food distributor, but they do not use retailers. Instead, they may use church food banks, charities, and other non-profit food pantries to provide food to the people to fight hunger.
How the Food Bank Works?
- 1. Food is donated to a food bank.
- 2. Its stored in a big climate controlled warehouse.
- 3. Food Bank in Jefferson County, Alabama distributes food to various non-profits for distribution.
- 4. Food reaches to who are in need.
Who can use Food Banks?
Many Food Bank in Jefferson County, Alabama and food pantries are locally run, with others managed at the state or federal level. Qualification to receive nutrition assistance from food programs depends on the type.
There are different qualifying requirements, but many food banks have none. Just show up during their days and times of operation, and they will help if they are able.
Here are the tips while .
- It is highly advisable to call ahead before you arrive!
- Ask about any eligibility or documentation requirements they may have.
- If required, bring all required documents when you use their services.
Second Harvest Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank was the first one established in California in 1972 and is the second oldest in the US. It operates multiple distribution centers across the United States.
Impact of Second Harvest Food Bank is huge, It helps 85,000 Santa Cruz residents avoid missing meals and empty stomachs.
Second Harvest Food Bank in Jefferson County, Alabama is easing the burden of impossible choices for families between food, housing, medicine, and other necessities.
St. Mary's Food Bank
The St. Mary's Food Bank was a first local food bank ever established in the United States in 1967. The St. Mary's Food Bank mission is food security and hunger relief for all Americans.
The St. Mary's distributes millions of pounds of food to the hungry each year, It also operates its own food pantries to allow allow people to access food directly from their warehouses.
It also offer specialized after-school programs for kids and career training for adults.
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Jefferson County, Alabama
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Jefferson County, Alabama serve a hot, nutritious lunch 365 days a year, even in the face of terrible weather and ever-increasing demand.
Church Food Bank welcome anyone who is in need of a meal, regardless of the person's circumstance, with no questions asked. It also provide showers, laundry, mail, I.D. assistance and other essential services.
WaterStone Church Food Bank
On the third Saturday of every month, we try to reach out to the less fortunate in our community by making sure that they have the food they need to feed their families. We would never want Jesus to say to us "....I was hungry and you fed me not." Each month, we are happy to feed 30 or more families and share the love of Christ through our food bank.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (205) 647-9592 to book your appointment.
Address :
210 S Brake St,
Warrior, AL 35180.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Warrior
Help Residents of Counties:
- Jefferson
Kimberly Church of God Food Bank
The Kimberly Church of God operates a regional food bank ministry called “Joseph's Storehouse†to assist those in poverty with food. Food is distributed each month to those in need or when an emergency should arise. We currently serve over 100 families each month in the northern Jefferson County area and the need is great and growing.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (205) 647-5374 to book your appointment.
Address :
9108 Jefferson St,
Kimberly, AL 35091.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Kimberly
Help Residents of Counties:
- Jefferson
Southside Baptist Church Food Bank
In conjunction with the United Way, Southside Baptist Church sponsors a Food Bank that serves the residents of the 35205 neighborhoods of Birmingham, Alabama.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (205) 933-8381 to book your appointment.
Address :
1016 19th St S,
Birmingham, AL 35205.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Birmingham
Help Residents of Counties:
- Jefferson
Feeding America
John van Hengel, the founder of St. Mary's Food Bank, went on to create a national organization for food banks. The Feeding America organization is a leader in the nation's domestic hunger-relief efforts.
The Coronavirus epidemic put even more pressure on America's most vulnerable citizens. Feeding America has helped serve 6.6 billion meals to date.
The Feeding America have grown through donations and other charitable efforts to be able to deliver much-needed food via food rescue, hunger relief programs, and disaster response.
Triumph Youth and Adult (TYAACD) Food Bank
Triumph Youth and Adult Community Development Corporation is a 501(c) 3 non-profit faith based organization whose mission is to meet the needs within the community in an effort to help improve the quality of life for families. We believe by promoting economic stability, literacy, educational enrichment in reading, math, and science programs as well as, reinforcing, teaching, and promoting healthy lifestyles through healthy eating and physical activity, we can change lives, communities, and statistics. Some of Our Services: TYAACD's Food Bank: registered food recipients receive food assistance based on low income guidelines; A.R.C.H.I.E.: receive emergency help through Red Cross for disaster relief services (fire or flood); United Way's 211 Emergency Food Assistance: receive emergency food services based on emergency situations and low income guidelines; Project Share Satellite Office for American Red Cross of Alabama: Helping Senior Citizens and Disabled individuals with Utility Assistance through the American Red Cross; Literacy/GED Preparation: receive tutoring and preparation for GED testing or learn how to read. Board certified teachers; Summer Feeding Program: receive free meals for children ages 5 to 18 during summer; Summer Enrichment Program: receive tutoring in Math, Reading, and Science during summer months; Referral Services: helping people in any given situation through other organizations.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (205) 424-6892 to book your appointment.
Address :
1431 13th Ave N,
Bessemer, AL 35020.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Bessemer
Help Residents of Counties:
- Jefferson
Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
A grant of $100,000 from the Greater Birmingham Foundation made it possible for the Food Bank to open its doors on December 1, 1982. At that time, service was provided to Jefferson, Shelby and Walker counties. The planning was done by volunteers from the community and the Planning department of United Way of Central Alabama. Over the last 30 years, the number of counties served by the food bank has increased from 3 to 12 and the number of agencies distributing food in Central Alabama has increased from 30 to 200.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (205) 942-8911 to book your appointment.
Address :
107 Walter Davis Dr,
Birmingham, AL 35209.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Birmingham
Help Residents of Counties:
- Jefferson
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally run program that helps obtain badly needed food for low-income people and families. SNAP program is also known as Food Stamp.
SNAP benefits in Jefferson County supplied approximately 40 million Americans in 2018. It is the most extensive nutrition program administered by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and is a vital component of the social safety net for low-income Americans.
In 2017, roughly 9.2% of American households obtained SNAP benefits, with about 16.7% of all children living in homes benefiting.
The program had used paper "stamps" or coupons in the past – worth $1 (brown), $5 (blue), and $10 (green). These were bound into small booklets of various denominations, to be torn out individually and used in single-use exchanges.
Free Food Programs Summary
| Acronym | Name | For Moms & Kids | For Seniors | For Food Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| TEFAP | The Emergency Food Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CSFP | The Commodity Supplemental Food Program | No | Yes | Yes |
| CACFP | The Child and Adult Care Food Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| NSLP | The National School Lunch Program | Yes | No | No |
| SBP | The School Breakfast Program | Yes | No | No |
| SFSP | The Summer Food Service Program | Yes | No | No |
| WIC | Women, Infants, and Children | Yes | No | No |
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food Bank?
Specifically, Jefferson County food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. How do you qualify for Jefferson County food bank assistance?
To qualify for food bank assistance you must provide:
- Current state-issued ID
- Social Security numbers of all household members
- Current electric bill to prove residence
- Bank Statement for income verification