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16 Alabama's nonprofi ts that fi ght food insecurity make the holidays a bit brighter. In Alabama, an estimated one in fi ve children faces food insecurity, sometimes not knowing where they will get their next meal. Families struggling to make ends meet may battle hunger on a regular basis, but during the holidays – amid ads showing full plates and conversations about tables laden with food – an empty stomach can feel more pronounced. To help those in need experience some seasonal comfort and joy, the Alabama Power Foundation awarded grants to 10 food- focused nonprofi ts across the state leading up to last year's holidays. Each organization received $5,000 to help provide nutritious meals. Their work is vital and ongoing in Alabama communities, and in collaboration with other charities and related groups, they can stretch these dollars to amazing lengths. Grant recipient Manna Ministries in Alabaster bought 31,000 pounds of food to serve the average 800 families it helps feed every week. Another group, Nourish Foundation in Auburn, centers its efforts on medical care for underserved children, with an emphasis on obesity and associated conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes. As part of its work to better the area's health outcomes, this foundation encourages healthy eating and delivers fresh produce boxes weekly right to the families' doorsteps. Executive Director Katie Wolter says the help Nourish gets and gives is crucial. "This support will enable us to continue providing not only medical care and fresh produce to our patients," Dr. Wolter says, "but also help meet other resource needs and alleviate barriers to improving the health of our community." A N E S T I M AT E D O N E I N F I V E A L A B A M A C H I L D R E N A R E F O O D I N S E C U R E . S E V E R A L F O O D - F O C U S E D N O N P RO F I T S U S E D $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 F RO M T H E A L A B A M A P O W E R F O U N DAT I O N TO F E E D A N E E D D U R I N G T H E H O L I DAY S .

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