notes: Food donors play a key role in the success of the Food Bank. Each donation, no matter how large or small, plays a significant part in helping us do so much for those who are in need. To DONATE PRODUCTS, contact Donna at 334-821-9006 or ddemous@foodbankofeastalabama.com To ARRANGE FOR PICK-UP, contact Donna or Earl at 334-821-9006 or ddemous@foodbankofeastalabama.com To DROP OFF PRODUCT, click here for directions. The Food Bank is the central collection facility in East Central Alabama. This means that when you donate to the Food Bank, you will be helping MANY food assistance organizations. You can feel good knowing that your food donations will be handled safely and fairly. We have the storage capability to store: 400 dry pallets 15 refrigerated pallets 124 frozen pallets a sorting room to check product for dates, quality and damage we have the staff to handle donated product including a forklift and driver to unload 4 receiving docks we have access to vehicles to safely transport food donations All of the organizations that receive food from us are carefully monitored to ensure that they are properly handling, storing and distributing the food to eligible recipients. FOOD DRIVES You can make a huge impact anytime by conducting a food drive. It is simple and easy. Food drives can be held in your neighborhood, office, school, or organization. For information on how to collect or donate food from your drive, contact Donna at 334-821-9006 or by e-mail at ddemous@foodbankofeastalabama.com The Food Bank will provide barrels for your food drive and pick them up at your request. Ideas to enhance your food drive: Establish a goal for your drive Assign and oversee support functions (distribution of materials, publicity, handling the food) Provide each donor with a bag to fill and return with food items Publicize the suggested food list (or attach it to the collection bag) Update people on the progress of the drive. Visually display the food that has been collected Put posters up in visible locations by a coffee machine or next to the time clock Decorate collections boxes/barrels Designate a special day on which to bring food Use slogans that relate to your company/school Give prizes for innovation or amount of food collected Get the company to match the donated food in some way, such as donating a turkey for every 100 pounds of food collected by the employees Hold an event, meeting or party where admission is cans of food Let the media know that you are conducting a food drive Invite a staff member from the Food Bank to address your group Most needed food drive items: Peanut butter Canned meats (tuna, salmon, chicken, etc.) Canned stews and soups Canned fruits and vegetables Baked beans 100% fruit juices Baking mix, muffin mix Cereals Rice/pasta/spaghetti Oatmeal, grits -> Deadly tornados hit the South! When disaster strikes we all want to help! Month Long Food Drive May 1st - 31st Six of the Alabama Food Bank Association’s eight member food banks are now actively involved in direct support to communities across the state according to David Reaney, the Association president. Fortunately, none of the food bank facilities suffered damage from the storms although the North Alabama Food Bank in Huntsville is currently operating without power. In a planning call with Feeding America disaster services staff on Friday, short term food and water needs were coordinated for the food banks in Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, Birmingham and Huntsville. The first truckloads of water and MRE’s from Feeding America’s disaster supplies at the Baton Rouge food bank are already enroute to Alabama. The Alabama food banks support over 1,000 church pantries, shelters and community soup kitchens day to day and distributed over 36 million pounds of food in 2010 with a fleet of 15 refrigerated trucks. In the coming weeks the food banks will be working with Feeding America to ensure additional trucks, staff and food is provided to assist communities across Alabama. A list of food banks in Alabama can be found at alfoodbanks.org or at the Feeding America link found to the left. -------------------------------- Food donors play a key role in the success of the Food Bank. Each donation, no matter how large or small, plays a significant part in helping us do so much for those who are in need. To DONATE PRODUCTS, contact Donna at 334-821-9006 or ddemous@foodbankofeastalabama.com To ARRANGE FOR PICK-UP, contact Donna or Earl at 334-821-9006 or ddemous@foodbankofeastalabama.com To DROP OFF PRODUCT, click here for directions. The Food Bank is the central collection facility in East Central Alabama. This means that when you donate to the Food Bank, you will be helping MANY food assistance organizations. You can feel good knowing that your food donations will be handled safely and fairly. We have the storage capability to store: 400 dry pallets 15 refrigerated pallets 124 frozen pallets a sorting room to check product for dates, quality and damage we have the staff to handle donated product including a forklift and driver to unload 4 receiving docks we have access to vehicles to safely transport food donations All of the organizations that receive food from us are carefully monitored to ensure that they are properly handling, storing and distributing the food to eligible recipients. FOOD DRIVES You can make a huge impact anytime by conducting a food drive. It is simple and easy. Food drives can be held in your neighborhood, office, school, or organization. For information on how to collect or donate food from your drive, contact Donna at 334-821-9006 or by e-mail at ddemous@foodbankofeastalabama.com The Food Bank will provide barrels for your food drive and pick them up at your request. Ideas to enhance your food drive: Establish a goal for your drive Assign and oversee support functions (distribution of materials, publicity, handling the food) Provide each donor with a bag to fill and return with food items Publicize the suggested food list (or attach it to the collection bag) Update people on the progress of the drive. Visually display the food that has been collected Put posters up in visible locations by a coffee machine or next to the time clock Decorate collections boxes/barrels Designate a special day on which to bring food Use slogans that relate to your company/school Give prizes for innovation or amount of food collected Get the company to match the donated food in some way, such as donating a turkey for every 100 pounds of food collected by the employees Hold an event, meeting or party where admission is cans of food Let the media know that you are conducting a food drive Invite a staff member from the Food Bank to address your group Most needed food drive items: Peanut butter Canned meats (tuna, salmon, chicken, etc.) Canned stews and soups Canned fruits and vegetables Baked beans 100% fruit juices Baking mix, muffin mix Cereals Rice/pasta/spaghetti Oatmeal, grits