The Food Bank Network is Alabama's primary provider of donated food for agencies that serve the needy. Since its inception, the Alabama Food Bank Network has distributed millions of pounds of food for needy citizens.



The majority of the food that the food banks distribute is provided by the food industry, which donates surplus products rather than wasting them. Local food companies donate to the food banks and more than 400 national companies support us via America's Second Harvest.



Donations include: surplus supermarket items, fresh produce, production overruns, unsold breads, mislabeled goods--all wholesome and nutritious, but for one reason or another, unmarketable. The Food Bank also benefits from local food drives and distributes food on behalf of various state and federal feeding programs.



The growth of the Alabama Food Bank network is directly related to the growing number of hungry people in Alabama. More than 810,875 Alabama residents live below the federal poverty level. The numbers are staggering, but the Food Bank network is committed to the fight against hunger.



There are many other persons who are just above the poverty threshold. Often referred to as the "working poor," they have a difficult time meeting financial obligations and are highly vulnerable to unemployment, illness and other unexpected events that can create financial havoc.