$50K Boost: United Way Steps Up to Support Food-Insecure Families

To address the growing concern about food insecurity, the United Way of West Alabama (UWWA) has pledged $50,000 to families in Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter, and Tuscaloosa who are affected.

Close to 75 local food pantries are experiencing a surge in demand with the recent interruption in SNAP benefits, and many veterans and workers are going without paychecks.

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To help address this surge, UWWA is launching a Food Assistance Grant to support local food pantries in meeting immediate needs.

“Our West Alabama community is so generous, and I am proud our Board of Directors has allocated $50,000 from our reserves to support those suffering from loss of SNAP benefits,” said Jackie Wuska, President and CEO of United Way of West Alabama. “Nobody in West Alabama should go hungry when we have so many resources available.”

According to the press release, “through this program, UWWA will issue weekly grants ranging from $250 to $500 to food pantries that are part of the West Alabama Food Bank network and are located in our nine-county service area.”

These funds will help maintain pantry shelves with food for individuals and families in need.

Wuska added that they are “seeking additional corporate and government support from our community partners to sustain this initiative as long as needed. We are grateful to The Westervelt Company for helping support efforts in Hale and Tuscaloosa Counties and look forward to others joining us in the cause.”

More Info from United Way of West Alabama

• Applications are open now at uwwa.org. Eligible food pantries must provide a tax ID letter to apply.
• Individuals seeking food assistance should dial 2-1-1 to be connected with trained call specialists who can help locate food resources nearby.