Highlighting Feeding Programs in Alabama

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The Salvation Army has a few highlights to share from our Alabama locations. In the past year, our facilities throughout Alabama prepared and served nearly half a million meals for their communities. Assistance programs including meal prep and grocery delivery were also offered. Through all of this benevolence, the Army is highlighting Huntsville, Birmingham, and Montgomery for outstanding services to their communities.

Huntsville

Captains Christopher & Kelly Bryant

The Salvation Army Huntsville Corps offers three feedings a day. Preparations for the community breakfast begin promptly at 4 AM, and breakfast is served at 5:20 AM until 6:20 AM. The Corps Salvage and Rehabilitation Center (CSRC) program’s breakfast is served from 6:30 AM until 7 AM. Cleanup and preparation for lunch begin immediately after breakfast, and lunch is served from 12 PM until 1 PM for everyone. Dinner starts at 4:30 PM until 5:20 PM for the CSRC program, and the community is served from 5:20 PM until 6:20 PM. The mobile kitchen canteen goes out every day at 5 PM for those who are unable to make it to the shelter for dinner.

The CSRC is a Christian-based program focusing on work therapy and overcoming addictions. CSRC participants work with a variety of departments within The Salvation Army – thrift stores, security, maintenance, janitorial, etc. – as they rebuild a sense of routine, responsibility, and for many, self-worth. Program participants throughout the ALM Division receive three meals a day. Huntsville also offers weekend and holiday lunches, which are served from 2 PM until 4 PM.

Birmingham

Majors Charles and Paula Powell 

The Salvation Army’s Birmingham location has a great marketplace pantry located at the Center of Hope that allows people to browse and choose the items they need instead of receiving a pre-made food box that may include things they don’t like or require. It’s staffed and maintained by two hardworking volunteers that work every week. Birmingham provides food assistance through three food pantries in its four-county footprint. The Alabaster Corps and Bessemer Service Center provide food assistance as well. The shelter also serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner to clients every day of the week. Daily lunch is also offered to the Birmingham community through the corps.

Montgomery

Lieutenants Bryan & Tonya Farrington

The Salvation Army Montgomery Corps serves dinner to clients and the community seven days a week. Staff and volunteers work together to keep a daily continental breakfast and lunch prepared for the CSRC program as well as dinner for both clients and the community. Dinner averages 65-120 individuals daily.

Montgomery serves lunch to the community every Thanksgiving. Food is delivered to the homes of those with physical impairments or lack of transportation. The corps does this by sending and posting fliers to areas that may need meal assistance so that people can register for a Thanksgiving meal. Community churches partner with The Salvation Army on this project by coming in early Thanksgiving morning to prepare the lunches for the big delivery.

The shelter also provides Christmas dinner. Families and individuals receive meals, winter coats, and any extra toys still available after the Angel Tree. There was a delivery of over 1,500 new and gently used coats and over 230 meals served during Christmas 2019.

The shelter also has a community canteen that they refer to as “Big Sally.” Staff and volunteers, in partnership with the Montgomery Sunrise Rotary Club and the Alabama Collision for the Homeless, take the canteen out into the community once every other month to provide food and distribute hygiene products and other necessities to the homeless or those within the community who could use the additional substances. Nearly 150 meals are provided with each outing.

Lt. Bryan Farrington has even reported individuals seeking The Salvation Army’s help with overcoming their addictions because the church is so welcoming to the community and makes receiving necessities (meals and shelter) possible.