HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Food deserts are almost common in North Alabama. "We have, you know, well, not a few, but several food deserts throughout North Alabama," Chyna Smith, Healthcare Partnership Coordinator for the Food Bank of North Alabama said. "Especially in low-income areas, in rural areas."
Central North Alabama Health Services, Inc., in collaboration with the Food Bank of North Alabama, and Feeding America, held a Drive-Thru Mobile Pantry event, where free groceries were given to those in need at the Huntsville Family Health Center.
"We are here for a drive thru food pantry event where we are aiming to just give out food to anyone who needs it," Paola Rios, Director of Public Relations and Marketing for Central North Alabama Health Services. "That includes general food items, but also certain food items that are conducive to promoting well-being with certain health conditions."
Food insecurity was one of the primary reasons they saw need for this drive. "The idea is to address food insecurity that is directly related to diet related illnesses," Smith shares. So today we're giving out fresh produce. We're giving out food boxes that are tailored towards people with diabetes, with heart issues."
Those are just some of the conditions that can be traced to not having the adequate food supply within the community. "When someone has food insecurity, when a household is experiencing food insecurity, it can impact them in other ways," Rios shares. "Also, with their health, it can be very stressful on that household, but also it can badly affect their actual physical health. "
Events like these help the community achieve a healthier life. "So, our kind of motto is always making everyone feel welcome," Smith shares. "So, you know, everyone gets treated with, you know, the utmost level of care. We make sure the volunteers and staff know to treat people with kindness, with respect, and we just really try to have a good time, you know, have conversations with people.
"The response from the community and this event and previous events has been very positive," Rios shares. "People are actually very grateful for the support that is offered with these types of events. I think that today it's indicative that people need these types of events and that they are important and these drive thru food pantries are much needed."