Our Programs
We served 20.2 million pounds of food in 2022.
The Community Food Bank distributes millions of meals across central Alabama each year. We accomplish this through two main venues – partner agencies and intentional meal programs.
We work with over 230 agency partners who provide direct distribution to their local communities. We do our best to reach every part of our 12-county service area. When we identify a gap, either geographically or demographically that leaves specific populations vulnerable to hunger, we operate direct meal programs that foster healthy food access for those at risk of hunger.
Mobile Pantries
Mobile Pantries
Our Mobile Pantries provide food access to households in need through ‘drive-thru’ grocery distributions.
Client-Choice Pantry Distributions
Client-Choice Pantry Distributions provide our neighbors in need the opportunity to choose what foods would work best for their cultural and nutritional dietary needs.
Agency Network of Partners
Across our 12-county footprint, the Community Food Bank partners with over 230 agencies, including soup kitchens, shelters, church food pantries, children's programs, and veterans' programs to get food into the hands of our neighbors. This network of Partner Agencies enables existing nonprofits to reach more people. We provide them with food safety training and supply food, and they distribute it free of charge to our neighbors in need. Our partner agencies provided over 14,154,883 lbs. of food to 283,945 individuals during 2021.
If you or someone you know is in need, the most effective way to get emergency food is through an Agency in your community.
Is your nonprofit organization interested in becoming a Partner Agency? We would love to have you on our team!
Child Hunger Program
Summer Meals (Summer Food Service Program or SFSP)
Community Food Bank’s Summer Meals Program provides free, healthy meals to children ages 18 and under during the summer when school is not in session. A partnership between the Community Food Bank, the Alabama State Department of Education, the Alabama Food Bank Association, and community organizations, Summer Meals provides free lunch and snacks to children throughout central Alabama five days a week, all summer. All meals served through the program are completely free of charge, not only to participating children but also to partner sites.
Family Markets
Family Markets provide food access to households with children in need through ‘drive-thru’ grocery distributions. Partners include public schools and other community organizations uniquely equipped to serve households with kids.
Benefit Enrollment / SNAP
If you live in Alabama or Mississippi and need to apply for food stamps – now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – we can help. We’ll walk you through the application process, and help you determine if you meet the income guidelines for food assistance benefits.
The Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC) helps eligible low-income adults, seniors, and individuals with disabilities find and enroll in benefit programs that can help you towards affording necessities like prescriptions, insurance, and housing costs.
To apply, or for more information, contact us at:
Phone: 1-877-833-2550
Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Email: outreach@feedingthegulfcoast.org
Online: benefitsenrollmentcenter.org
Senior Meals Program
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) works to improve the health of people with low incomes at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods. USDA distributes food and administrative funds to participating states and Indian Tribal Organizations to operate CSFP.
Senior Grocery Mobile Pantries
Senior Grocery Mobile Pantries provide food access to households with seniors in need through 'drive-thru' grocery distributions.
Senior Client-Choice Pantry Distributions
Senior Client-Choice Pantry Distributions provide our neighbors in need the opportunity to choose what foods would work best for their cultural and nutritional dietary needs. Partners include Senior Centers and other organizations that can provide food access to the senior population in their communities.
Senior Grocery Home Delivery Hubs
Senior Grocery Home Delivery Hubs are designed to provide food access to seniors facing hunger through home delivery.
Food Recovery
At the Community Food Bank, sustainability is key. Our fleet of refrigerated trucks is on the road 5 days per week picking up donated food from our retail partners to distribute throughout our community.
- Recruited over 100 grocery stores to donate wholesome fresh produce, meats, and dry goods
- Prevents food from going to waste in local landfills & instead provides meals to neighbors in need
- Annually we save over 7 million pounds of produce, proteins, and dry goods from being discarded.
In 2020, we recovered over $12 million worth of food, and work every day to ensure no food goes to waste.
Disaster Response
During times of crisis, the Community Food Bank is ready to step in and provide emergency assistance when and where needed most
- Provides emergency food and water in times of crisis like tornadoes or floods
- Able to establish temporary emergency food pantries in affected communities
- Offer long-term support through large scale food distributions in affected areas