By Morgan Hightower
Published: May. 29, 2024 at 1:33 PM CDT|Updated: 19 hours ago
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - A new report from Feeding America estimates more than 884,000 people in Alabama, or 17.4% of the population, is dealing with food insecurity. The percentage is higher for children at 23.3%, up 5% from last year’s report.
The reports uses a combination of data from the United States Census Bureau, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to estimate these numbers. The data sets are from two years prior to the report’s publication, so the 2024 report includes data from 2022, and the 2023 report includes data from 2021.
Given the delay in data, advocates estimate the need is greater.
“We think the rise in the meal gap numbers are devastating,” said Nicole Williams, CEO, Community Food Bank of Central Alabama.
The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama serves 12 counties where an estimated 235,000 people are facing food insecurity.
The USDA defines food insecurity as “the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.”
Williams explained it as people dealing with “impossible decisions,” like paying for an emergency car repair or going to the grocery store. It could be people who are on a fixed incomes being pushed over the edge by inflation. Or, it could be children who rely on meals during the school year unsure of what they’ll do during the summer.
“Many, many factors,” said Williams.
She continued, “I would say on the back end of the pandemic, and the economy and folks trying to bounce back coupled with gas prices and food inflation, it’s very difficult on people to make sure they are feeding their families well.”
The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama distributes between 1.5-1.7 million pounds of food each month to more than 350 community partners, which disperse that food into their neighborhoods.
The greatest needs are during the holiday season, where distributions can exceed 2 million pounds per month. That translates into millions of meals served annually, each one chipping away at the meal gap.
The 2023 Map the Meal Gap report estimated 33 million meals were needed for Central Alabama. The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama delivered 21 million meals.
This year’s report shows the need has grown to 44 million meals. This is, again, just for the 12 counties served by the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama.
The need statewide is much greater.
Alabama schools, through federal funding, are again offering summer feeding programs. WBRC reached out to each school district in Central Alabama for information about their summer feeding programs. That information is listed below and will be updated as we get additional responses.
Alabaster City Schools: The ACS Summer Feeding Program will begin June 3 and run through July 11 (Closed June 19 and July 4-5). This program offers FREE meals to children age 18 and younger Mondays through Thursdays (closed on Fridays). These meals must be eaten on site.
- Thompson High School: 1921 Warrior Drive. Alabaster, AL 35007 - Breakfast 7:30-8:30 - Lunch 11:00-12:30 [only location that serves adult meals (Breakfast $3/Lunch $5)]
- YMCA of Alabaster: 117 Plaza Circle, Alabaster, AL 35007 - Lunch 11:00-12:00
- Buck Creek Park: 701 6th Ave SW, Alabaster, AL 35007 - Lunch 11:15-12:15
- Mount Olive Baptist Church: 200 Simmsville Road, Alabaster, AL 35007 - Lunch 11:45-12:45
- Wellington Manor Apartments: 1500 Windsor Court, Alabaster, AL 35007 - Lunch 11:30-12:30
Anniston City Schools: TBA
Attalla City Schools: We are a restricted open site for summer feeding. We are feeding all Attalla City students that are on campus for various activities during the summer. Those activities include the 21st Century Program, Summer Reading and Math Program, Summer School students, and all students on campus for various extracurricular activities. We will feed any of our students who let us know that they are coming to campus.
Bessemer City Schools: TBA
Bibb County Schools: TBA
Birmingham City Schools: TBA
Blount County Schools: We will be serving breakfast and lunch at 7 schools through the month of June. Our SFSP aligns with the multiple camps we have going on across our district. We operate “open” sites so that any child 18 and under is welcome to come by during service hours to get a free meal.
- Appalachian: Monday-Thursday - June 3-20 - Breakfast 7:30 a.m.- 8:30 a.m. Lunch 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Blountsville Elementary: Monday-Friday - June 3-20 - Breakfast 7:15 a.m.- 8:15 a.m. - Lunch 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Cleveland: Monday-Friday - June 3-20 - Breakfast 8 a.m.- 9 a.m. - Lunch 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Hayden Primary: Monday-Thursday - June 3-20 - Breakfast 8 a.m.- 9 a.m. - Lunch 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Locust Fork: Monday-Thursday - June 3-20 - Breakfast 7:15 a.m.- 8 a.m. - Lunch 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Southeastern: May 28-31, June 3-7, June 10-12 - Breakfast 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. - Lunch 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Susan Moore Elementary: Monday-Friday - June 3-28 - Breakfast 7:45 a.m.-8:45 a.m. - Lunch 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Boaz City Schools: Our Seamless Summer Feeding Option Program will be held at Boaz Intermediate School from June 3 to June 28, Monday through Friday with the exception of the holiday, June 19. We will serve breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. All students 18 years and younger are eligible to eat at no cost. Students do not have to be enrolled in Boaz City Schools to participate.
Calhoun County Schools: TBA
Cherokee County Schools: Cherokee County Schools will provide summer meals during our summer programs at each school. However, the meals are open to all, not just program participants. We will provide breakfast and lunch during Summer School, Summer Reading Academy, and 21st Century Programs. Again, the meals are open children up to 18. Program participants will also receive weekend meals each week.
Chilton County Schools: TBA
Cleburne County Schools: TBA
Cullman City Schools: TBA
Cullman County Schools: TBA
Etowah County Schools: TBA
Fairfield City Schools: TBA
Gadsden City Schools: Gadsden City Schools will be offering breakfast and lunch to all children up to the age of 18 at no charge to them.
June: Serving breakfast 7:30 – 8 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m. – Noon unless noted otherwise. All sites closed 6/19 and 7/4.
- Adams Elementary School: 919 Raley St., Gadsden, 35903
- Antioch Baptist Church: 2103 E. Broad St., Gadsden, 35903
- Boys and Girls Club: 2000 W. Meighan Blvd., Gadsden, 35901
- Carver Gym: 1030 Tuscaloosa Ave., Gadsden, 35901
- East Gadsden Community Center: 921 Wilson Ave., Gadsden, 35903
- Emma Sansom Middle: (6/3-6/13 only), 2210 W. Meighan Blvd., Gadsden, 35904
- Floyd Elementary School: 601 Black Creek Rd, Gadsden, 35904
- Gadsden City High School: 1971 Black Creek Pkwy, Gadsden, 35904
- SPAN Program: 601 S. 12th St., Gadsden, 35904
- Striplin Elementary School: 600 Cleveland Ave., Gadsden, 35901
- YMCA: 100 Walnut St., Gadsden, 35901
- University of Alabama: 121 N. 1st St., Gadsden, 35901
July: Serving breakfast 7:30 – 8 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m. – Noon unless noted otherwise. All sites closed 6/19 and 7/4.
- Antioch Baptist Church: 2103 E. Broad St., Gadsden, 35903
- Boys and Girls Club: 2000 W. Meighan Blvd., Gadsden, 35901
- Carver Gym: 1030 Tuscaloosa Ave., Gadsden, 35901
- East Gadsden Community Center: 921 Wilson Ave., Gadsden, 35903
- SPAN Program: 601 S. 12th St., Gadsden, 35904
- Gadsden City High School: 1971 Black Creek Pkwy, Gadsden, 35904
- YMCA: 100 Walnut St., Gadsden, 35901
- University of Alabama: 121 N. 1st St., Gadsden, 35901
Greene County Schools: Greene County Schools will offer breakfast and lunch to students this summer the month of June at the Eutaw Primary School and Greene County High School. We are a CEP (Community Eligibility Provision) system, therefore, free breakfast and lunch meals are provided to all children.
Hale County Schools: TBA
Haleyville City Schools: TBA
Homewood City Schools: Homewood City Schools does not qualify to offer the summer feeding program.
Hoover City Schools: TBA
Jacksonville City Schools: TBA
Jasper City Schools: In an effort to combat food insecurity among students during the summer months, Jasper City Schools has launched a comprehensive summer meal program for our students. Recognizing that many students rely on school-provided meals during the academic year, the district is committed to ensuring that no child goes hungry when school is out. Our program offers free nutritious meals to Jasper City School students under the age of 18. Our program runs Monday-Thursday starting June 3. Parents can find more information on the district website or at each of our schools.
Jefferson County Schools: TBA
Leeds City Schools: Leeds City Schools participates in the USDA SFSP (Summer Food Service Program). LCS is eligible as an open site which allows us to feed anyone 18 years of age or younger for free. Participants do not have to be enrolled in Leeds City Schools, but they must be 18 years of age or younger. Participants can receive a free breakfast or lunch daily beginning June 3rd with the summer program ending on July 19. LCS will be closed in observance of the Juneteenth holiday (June 19) and Independence Day (July 4 & 5). LCS will serve meals from Leeds Primary School located at 991 Park Drive, Leeds, AL 35094. The cafeteria entrance is located in the back of the building. Breakfast is served from 7:15 a.m. to 8 a.m. and lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. LCS is a congregate sight which means that all participants must consume their meal in the LPS cafeteria.
Marion County Schools: We are not having a summer feeding program this year. When we have tried it we did not have a good response because, in a rural area, there are not enough people that want to drive to the school to pick up food. We do have many churches across our county that give food boxes to families in need of food. On the third Saturday of each month there is a food pantry in Hamilton that gives out food.
Mountain Brook City Schools: Mountain Brook does not offer a summer feeding program.
Oneonta City Schools: TBA
Pelham City Schools: TBA
Pell City Schools: TBA
Perry County Schools: TBA
Pickens County Schools: TBA
Shelby County Schools: Shelby County Schools is offering meals for students who are enrolled in enrichment/learning programs on the school campus during the school day. Grab-and-go meals are available for all students under 18 years old via drive-thru from June 3-14 at Calera High, Shelby County High, Vincent Middle High from 10:30 a.m.-11a.m. On campus meals will be provided for all under children 18 years at Montevallo High School June 3-14 between 10:45 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
St. Clair County Schools: St. Clair County Schools is offering breakfast and lunch only for students participating in summer enrichment programs.
Sylacauga City Schools: Sylacauga City Schools is offering lunch for children (ages 2-18) at Indian Valley Elementary School Monday though Thursday beginning June 3 and ended June 27. The meals are free and do not have to be eaten on-site.
Talladega City Schools: TBA
Talladega County Schools: Talladega County Schools will provide meals free of charge to all children, regardless of enrollment status, ages 0 to 18, at the BB Comer Memorial High School Campus, Sycamore Elementary School Campus, and Lincoln Elementary School Campus. These schools are strategically located in the south, center, and north areas of our county to serve the greatest number of students. The program will run Monday through Friday, June 3rd through June 28, with breakfast served from 7:30 a.m. until 9 a.m. and Lunch served from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
Tarrant City Schools: TBA
Trussville City Schools: TBA
Tuscaloosa City Schools: The child nutrition program will have 17 open sites from May 30 - July 3. We’ll reduce down to one or two sites during July. All TCS schools except Rock Quarry, Verner, and Tuscaloosa Career and Tech Academy will be open sites, for any children ages 18 and under, for breakfast and lunch - free of charge. Meal times are roughly 7:30 a.m.-8:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Though the sites are open and accepts walk ins, we ask that someone let us know if a group plans to attend as this may impact food supply and preparation.
Tuscaloosa County Schools: TBA
Vestavia Hills City Schools: VHCS does not offer a summer feeding program.
Walker County Schools: Walker County Schools is offering breakfast and lunch to students enrolled in Summer Learning Programs and 21st Century Programs. Meals must be consumed on-site.
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