Selma Area Food Bank celebrates its 30th anniversary

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

A Selma non-profit celebrates three decades of helping to provide food to needy families in four of the state’s most impoverished counties.

The Selma Area Food Bank has been helping people feed their families for 30 years. And this year — the non-profit has given away more food in one year — than ever before.

Jeff Harrison is the Executive Director.

“The demand is high. Just continues to grow every day. We’re always looking for opportunities to rescue and sort and then redistribute food,” he said.

The food bank provides over a million pounds of food to about 55 community agencies each year in Dallas, Perry, Wilcox and Marengo counties — that then distribute food — to needy people in their communities.

“They’re primarily churches and non-profit organizations and they know their community,” said Harrison.

“They know their people better than we do. So, they know the need. We just supply the food to them so they can meet the need. And so they take it the actual last mile and distribute it out.”

Lula Harris runs the food pantry at Temple Gate Community Center in Selma — where they distribute food — twice every month.

“And we’ve been feeding over 600 families a month. Yes, and the food is free, ” said Harris.

“I think the Selma Area Food Bank is one of the greatest companies in Selma. And you know, I might go a little bit further and say, in Dallas County.”

“We survive on donations and that’s what keeps us going,” said Harrison.

“God blesses us. We bless them. And then they bless the individual. It’s just a chain that comes down. And we’re just honored to be a part of it.”

And they’ve been a part of it now — for thirty years.

The food bank also has programs that support school children — seniors — veterans — and people who are home bound.

To learn more — go to selmafoodbank.com.