POWERGRAMS

12 in Chelsea and Childersburg, Publix and Wal-Mart in Chelsea, and Sprouts Farmers Market in Inverness regularly donate food. "We pick up short-dated food four days a week and store it," Jones said. On a recent Monday morning, for instance, volunteers busily packed away 4,000 pounds of food: fresh meats, vegetables, apples and other fruits, and bakery goods. Making a real difference for families "If we can get people to eat better, their life and nutrition will be better," Jones believes. "We've seen a 3 percent decrease in juvenile crime in Shelby, Coosa and Talladega counties and, although we can't prove it, we think we're a contributing factor. "If kids come to school fed, the Talladega Board of Education suggests that kids do better in school and don't act out at school," Jones said. "We are an active part of that, partnering with Feeding America's Store to Door program." ACFS Volunteer Coordinator Don Stuckey said, "Many of the food- insecure children are getting free breakfasts and free lunches at school, but many do not get supper or food on the weekend. We try to meet those needs." Jones is constantly amazed at the outpouring of support for the Alabama Childhood Food Bank. He believes it's possible to end hunger in Alabama, and without government intervention. "We all are making a difference, Alabama Power and all of these churches, and all these individuals," Jones said. "At the end of the day, I know I've done everything I could do to be God's hands and feet in this place." Plant Gaston employees regularly volunteer to help at food bank. People line up for aid.

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