2014-15 Impact Report: Food Ministry

Donated cans from the 2015 City Food Drive 

Since January, we have received over 397,644 pounds of food from a variety of partners and have distributed 421,197 pounds to 46 organizations. Each Monday and Friday we distribute food to 20 partner ministries and agencies. The donations received help these ministries care for more people and increase their opportunities to serve in the community.

A few of the ministries and non-profits we serve include: Oak Mountain Mission, Brother Bryan Mission, Lovelady Center, Changed Lives Christian Center, Steps and Traditions, Restoration Ministry, Turning Point, Antioch Baptist Church, COH Dream Center, and Care Center Ministries. 

Donation Partners
Our largest donors are: Wood Fruitticher, Buffalo Rock, Greater Full Gospel (Publix), New Visions Enrichment, Squincher Corp, Flowers Bakery, Omni Foods City of Birmingham, and Magic City Harvest.

Programs
In addition to the weekly food distribution, we have several programs that help our partner ministries meet the food needs of those they are caring for. Voucher Boxes, Compassion Packs, STAIR and after school Bible study snacks are available to our partners for a small facilitation fee. 

We have distributed 1,500 voucher boxes since July 2014. This opportunity allows our partners to care for people with a one-week supply of groceries without having to worry about purchasing, storing, and managing a food pantry.

We distributed 3,500 Compassion Packs into schools so that hungry children have more food choices at home. And our Compassion Packs provide an inroad for ministries to be able to serve in the schools.

Gardens
The Birmingham Sharing Gardens is another program in the Food Ministry. Our 2015 goal is to share 5,000 pounds of produce with the community. These gardens use the produce to supplement their food pantries, care for their church members and neighbors, and provide learning and fun opportunities for the children participating in summer camps.

There are 6 community gardens located in: North Birmingham, Woodlawn, Fairfield, West End, Pratt City, East Lake, and at CSM in Avondale. Last summer, 3 participants in the Fairfield garden reported weight loss, new friendships, and a renewed energy all from working in the garden. So far this year we have harvested and distributed over 2,500 pounds of produce.

Working at Grace Garden in Fairfield

We added aquaponics and watched in amazement
at how the plants grew!

Antioch garden in Pratt City, planted for spring

New garden at CSM

Beans, okra, tomatoes, peppers, squash and more grew at the
CSM garden this spring and summer! 

Produce went to our partner ministries and to individuals in need

Planting at Greater Shiloh Baptist Church in West End

Our ministry partners were excited to receive the fresh produce to feed in their
care homes and to distribute to the communities they serve.