The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama has shared impressive news. In 2024, they distributed over 20.5 million meals! That’s an astonishing rate of about 10,630 meals every hour, or roughly 177 meals each minute.
However, the demand is even greater. The food bank says they would need to provide 44 million meals to fully meet the community’s needs. Each year, more families find themselves in tough situations, often struggling to afford basic necessities like food due to rising costs of living.
Ginger Pegues, the Director of Development, explains that many families face difficult choices due to increasing expenses for bills, gas, and groceries. When it comes down to essentials, food often gets pushed aside. “Do I buy that medication? Do I fill the car up? Do I get that tire replaced? Often, the food budget is the first to go,” she says. “We need food to thrive! Our kids need food to learn and to enjoy being kids without worrying about their next meal.”
In 2024, almost 9,240 volunteers worked at the food bank to pack boxes and support those in need. The community’s help is vital. According to Pegues, just one dollar can be turned into four meals with their resources.
This year, the food bank also kicked off a partnership with Amazon, launching a home delivery program for seniors. Many seniors struggle with mobility or transportation issues, making it hard for them to get food. This new initiative aims to bring food right to their doorsteps. Pegues notes that last year, volunteers delivered food to 125 seniors twice a month, and they plan to double that number this year.
“We don’t want to be in the top ten percentage of senior food insecurity. We need to improve on that,” Pegues emphasizes. “Ensuring that our neighbors are taken care of with home delivery is a significant step in the right direction.”
If you want to know more about the home delivery program or how to help, you can reach the food bank at (205) 942-8911.
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