Issue link: https://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/292122
6 Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Walker and Winston. e Food Bank, a United Way of Central Alabama agency, relies on more than 200 agen- cies throughout these counties to help serve the hunger needs of their resi- dents. Individuals, companies and organizations donate food and funds to the Food Bank, which then shares these resources with partnering agencies. "It's an all-hands-on-deck approach," says Brian Hoffman, founder and presi- dent of the Food Bank's junior board. "at's one of the reasons I wanted to be involved. I wanted to be a part of change in this city and spread awareness so that other people know how much of a need there is when it comes to hunger." In 2013, the Food Bank distributed more than 8.9 million pounds of food, including almost 650,000 pounds of fresh produce. rough its Weekender Backpack program, the Food Bank provides nutri- tious and easy-to-prepare food for chronically hungry students to take home for the weekend. More than 1,500 chil- dren were served in 26 schools throughout Jefferson, Talladega and Calhoun counties this year. "is is one of our biggest areas for support," McKinley says. "Volunteers are always needed to help pack the food packs at our warehouse. For $140 a year, organizations and individuals can sponsor a child to receive food packs every weekend." e Mobile Pantry takes food to people in counties with higher poverty rates but with limited access to food. Workers will pack and deliver 20-25 pound boxes of food to the county in need, joining a local partner that pro- vides a space and volunteers to help distribute the food. Averaging two mobile pantries a month, the Food Bank sees this program as a way to reach residents in emergency hunger situations. e Food Bank recently started providing easy-to- prepare meals to families of patients in hospital NICU's after the executive director saw a need. Families who trav- eled miles for medical treatment lacked food resources and the Food Bank stepped in to help fill this need. It's through the support and funding of people and organizations that the Food Bank is then able to provide support to the local organizations that support the residents. e Alabama Power Service Organization is an example of groups providing support to the Food Bank. For APSO, local food drives are a priority in each chapter's annual project plans. In December, the organization hosted its "Let's Can Hunger" food drive in Birmingham, pitting Alabama and Auburn fans in the company against each other in a healthy compe- tition to see which team could donate the most food. In all, employees at three locations donated more than 2,200 pounds of food to the Food Bank. at donation alone will provide more than 18,000 meals. Former football stars and current Alabama Power employees Wesley Britt of the University of Alabama and Quentin riggins of Auburn University agreed the loser would be pied publicly at the end of the drive in January based on his team totals. Alabama fans won the competition, but Britt donated enough food to Auburn to even the totals. As a result, both players pied each other. "It's great we did this for Auburn vs. FOOD continued from page 5 PIEING Former Auburn football player Quentin Riggins, left, and Alabama's Wesley Britt celebrate a great cause. PHOTO BY BILL SNOW