Food Banks Listed for Shelby County, Alabama
We found 4 food banks listed for Shelby County, Alabama. Call before you go to confirm hours and what to bring. You can also see food pantries in Shelby County, Alabama.
Triumph Youth and Adult (TYAACD) Food Bank
Phone: (205) 424-6892
Address: 1431 13th Ave N, Bessemer, AL 35020. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
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 :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (205) 424-6892 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Bessemer
Help Residents of Counties:
- Jefferson
- Shelby
Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
Phone: (205) 942-8911
Address: 107 Walter Davis Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
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 :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (205) 942-8911 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Birmingham
Help Residents of Counties:
- Jefferson
- Shelby
Church Food Banks in Shelby County, Alabama
Some churches in and around Shelby County, Alabama run food banks or serve free meals.
Many welcome anyone who needs a meal. Some also offer services such as showers, laundry, mail, or I.D. assistance, so call ahead to confirm what is available.
Kimberly Church of God Food Bank
Phone: (205) 647-5374
Address: 9108 Jefferson St, Kimberly, AL 35091. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
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 :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (205) 647-5374 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Kimberly
Help Residents of Counties:
- Jefferson
- Shelby
Southside Baptist Church Food Bank
Phone: (205) 933-8381
Address: 1016 19th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
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 :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (205) 933-8381 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Birmingham
Help Residents of Counties:
- Jefferson
- Shelby
Food prices remain high. The FAO Food Price Index averaged 136.0 points in September 2026, up 5.8% from a year earlier.
A 36% 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 banks in Shelby 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 objective is to help low-income individuals 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.
A food bank in Shelby 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. It is stored in a large climate-controlled warehouse.
- 3. A food bank in Shelby County, Alabama distributes food to various non-profits for distribution.
- 4. Food reaches people who are in need.
Who can use Food Banks?
Many food banks and food pantries in Shelby County, Alabama 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, and some food banks have none. Some let you come during their days and times of operation, and they will help if they are able.
Here are some tips before you go:
- 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
Many communities across the United States are served by food banks that use the Second Harvest name.
These food banks help families facing hard choices between food, housing, medicine, and other necessities. We don't have a food bank with the Second Harvest name listed for Shelby County, Alabama right now.
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.
High food costs continue to put pressure on America's most vulnerable citizens. Feeding America reports that its network provides 5.9 billion meals a year.
The Feeding America network has grown through donations and other charitable efforts to be able to deliver much-needed food via food rescue, hunger relief programs, and disaster response.
A listing on this page doesn't mean an organization is part of the Feeding America network. To find a member food bank, use Feeding America's finder.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that helps obtain badly needed food for low-income people and families. SNAP is also known as Food Stamp.
Nationally, SNAP served approximately 42 million Americans per month in fiscal year 2025. To ask about SNAP benefits in Shelby County, Alabama, contact your state SNAP office. 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 fiscal year 2025, about 12.3% of the U.S. population received SNAP benefits in an average month.
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?
Shelby County food banks often have items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. How do you qualify for Shelby County food bank assistance?
Requirements vary, and some food banks and pantries ask for no paperwork at all. Call ahead. Some may ask you to bring:
- A state-issued ID
- Social Security numbers of household members
- A bill or other mail that shows your address
- Proof of income, such as a bank statement