Heart of Alabama Food Bank receives over $300,000 donation from Publix
The Heart of Alabama Food Bank received a $335,000 donation from a national grocery store chain.
HAFB officials say the donation provided by Publix Super Markets Charities will be used to purchase a refrigerated box truck and two refrigerated vans.
Officials say the vehicles will be used to reach 256,000 people who face food insecurity in the 35-county service area.
$200,000 of the donation will go towards purchasing a 26-foot refrigerated box truck with a lift gate. Food bank officials say the current fleet of refrigerated and dry box trucks and tractor-trailers is insufficient to meet demand, leading to reduced distribution and costly rentals during repairs.
Expanding the fleet allows HAFB to serve more families, especially in rural areas, through the Mobile Pantry Program, which delivers 15,000 pounds of food to 120-150 households at each event.
Additionally, the remaining $135,000 will be allocated to purchase two refrigerated vans for home deliveries of fresh, nutritious food. These vans will support HAFB’s Food as Medicine Program, which assists food insecure patients facing health challenges like cancer, kidney disease, or those undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. The initiative aims to provide essential nutrition to those who need it most.
Earlier this week, more than 25 Publix associates volunteered alongside Publix CEO, Kevin Murphy, to pack and distribute fresh fruits, vegetables and groceries to families in need through the Heart of Alabama mobile food pantry at Snow Hill Christian Church in Fort Deposit.
