More mouths to feed, less food to do it: food insecurity increases in North Alabama
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — More people across North Alabama are hungry and struggling to find the means to pay for it, while food banks are struggling to keep up with the demand.
“North Alabama is experiencing a huge increase in people who are food insecure,” Shirley Schofield, CEO of the Food Bank of North Alabama, said.
There has been a 23% increase in food insecurity in the area this year, that’s about 184,210 residents, according to the Food Bank of North Alabama and the 11 counties they serve. The increase in food insecurity and decrease in donations is assumed to be caused by inflation. Most everyone is seeing a higher bill when checking out at the grocery store.
“Everything is more expensive,” Schofield said. “There’s inflation going on. So, everyone is kind of struggling and people who were kind of on the fine line, this has pushed them into needing assistance.”
The food bank has had to purchase its own food at times during this year to keep up with the demand of citizens. Not only do they operate as a food bank, but distribute food to other food banks, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and children’s programs.
The Alabama Department of Public Health reports that impoverished families in the state focus on paying their mortgage or rent and medical expenses first, leaving little space for food.
Madison County Schools training future firefighters with a new truck
One school in North Alabama is doing its part in fixing this problem.
Decatur City Schools sent News 19 a video detailing a new program beginning this year: free breakfast and lunch for all students through the Community Eligibility Provision. To qualify for this program, a large percentage of students must already qualify for free or reduced meals.
DCS said they are especially excited for the families who were just over the income level needed to qualify, but greatly needed the free or reduced lunches to make ends meet.
“That’s just one less thing that they have to worry about each week and each day is paying for their kid’s meals,” DCS Child Nutrition Program Supervisor Jenny Newton said. “Because they’re gonna be fed, their bellies are gonna be full, and they’re gonna be taken care of.”
This program will last for five years, and the school will have to reapply after that.
At the same time, the Food Bank of North Alabama is always in need of contributions from the community. They need volunteers at the food bank, volunteers to host food drives, food donations and financial donations.
Visit their website here to see more on how to help.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
