Need food assistance? Organizations across North Alabama gearing up to help

NORTH ALABAMA, Ala. (WHNT) — With the extended government shutdown, several North Alabama organizations are preparing to help those needing food assistance.

With many federal workers furloughed or out of work, and the USDA announcing that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds will not go out on November 1, volunteer and nonprofit organizations are looking to bridge the gap for families in the Tennessee Valley. The Food Bank of North Alabama said it is already seeing an increased need for food.

The food bank said there are nearly 100,000 people who receive SNAP benefits in the 11 counties it serves.

That is a huge influx of people, potentially, who would need food assistance from the food bank and from our partners,” Food Bank of North Alabama CEO Shirley Schofield said.

News 19 is working to compile a list of resources for people who need food assistance.

A good starting point is the Food Bank of North Alabama’s Food Finder. The tool, which is on the food bank’s website, allows people to put in their address and receive both a map and a list of available assistance options in their immediate area. The food finder includes information for organizations that the food bank distributes to in all 11 counties it serves.

The Food Bank of North Alabama will also be holding a free food distribution to help furloughed workers on Wednesday, Oct. 29, in the parking lot of Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium is located at 3125 Don Mincher Dr. SW, Huntsville, Alabama (Gate 1).

One organization in Harvest is also working to help those in need. House of the Harvest offers a free weekly breakfast on Saturday morning from 6:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. House of the Harvest also does a weekly food distribution on Saturday mornings from 7:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. House of the Harvest is located at 9144 Wall Triana Hwy, Harvest, AL 35749. You can read more about the organization here.

The organization Feeding Alabama also has a food finder tool for those looking for assistance, along with other resources on its website.