Birmingham Islamic Society Aids 70 SNAP-Affected Families
Plans to continue meal distribution efforts next Saturday
The Birmingham Islamic Society (BIS) distributed food aid packages to 70 individuals and families affected by the SNAP funding cutoff on Saturday, November 8.
Aid packages were distributed at the Hoover BIS campus, 2524 Hackberry Lane between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
Each package contained two shopping bags filled with enough food for several meals, including staples like rice and sugar, canned vegetables and fruit, jars of spaghetti sauce, pasta, potato flakes and breakfast cereal.
While ALPolitics.com was on scene, a steady stream of people came to receive packages, including a number who came with small children. All appeared very grateful for the assistance.
The BIS has planned to continue the distribution program next Saturday, as part of their plan to distribute 35,000 meals to those affected by the government shutdown.
This effort by the BIS is just one example of how local churches, groups and organizations have rallied to support Alabamians in need. Numerous local food banks have expanded hours for both service and collections. In Elmore County, Crossroads Community Church in Elmore partnered with the Heart of Alabama Food Bank to host a mobile food pantry last week, which they have been doing quarterly to aid their community, as reported by WSFA.
Local governments have also stepped up. In Montgomery, City officials are coordinating with the Heart of Alabama Food Bank and other agencies to direct relief where it's needed most. And, in Birmingham, Mayor Randall Woodfin asked the City Council for $1 million in emergency food aid and launched a drive to assist about 23,000 residents who could lose benefits.
Birmingham has also compiled a comprehensive list of local organizations and programs providing assistance at https://www.birminghamal.gov/fooddrive, per ABC33/40.
Last week, Governor Kay Ivey released $2 million from the Emergency Fund to bolster Alabama’s eight regional food banks, calling it “absolutely ridiculous” that people were suffering while the shutdown was allowed to continue.
As the shutdown runs on—it is now the longest shutdown in history—and an arctic blast bears down on Alabama, the need for local cooperation can only continue.
To find a food pantry near you, visit https://feedingalabama.org.
ALPolitics.com will continue actively sharing all Facebook posts related to food distribution across Alabama (that we see) on our Facebook page to help in getting this information out to as many people as possible. Organizations with information they wish to share may submit this to: Editor@ALPolitics.com.
While a distribution time for food packages next Saturday by the BIS has not been established at press time, it is likely to again be 11:00 AM-1:00 PM.
Those wishing to contribute or who need more information about accessing meals should contact Amyn Pabani at the Birmingham Islamic Society by phone at (205) 879-4247.
Photos from Saturday’s aid distribution at the BIS (all photos by BC/ALPolitics.com, used with permission of subjects):
