HUNTSVILLE, Ala — About 4 in 10 Americans had to seek food assistance for the first time during the pandemic.
The Food Bank of North Alabama helped meet the need right here in the Valley.
We stopped by the warehouse to check in.
They say, in a normal year, they might order 10 to 11 truckloads of food. But, over the past year, they’ve had to order about 55 trucks full of food.
Alabama's statewide mask mandate expired Friday at 5 pm. The food bank says that won’t affect the assistance they receive.
We caught up with Shirley Schofield, the Executive Director of Food Bank of North Alabama. She says, “Even though the mask mandate is ending statewide, it is not going to have an impact on the food we receive from the federal government. Because our emergency order is still in place… Governor Ivey has made sure that is still intact. So, we’re still under an emergency situation we’ll still be able to get that federally funded emergency food. So, we’re really excited about that.”
Schofield tells us the Food Bank of North Alabama will continue to enforce masking within their warehouse, building, and events.
You can always donate to help-- and not just food. Schofield tells us, diapers are one of their most requested items. The food bank collects diapers for the National Diaper Bank Network. National Diaper Bank Network. The food bank usually holds an annual diaper drive. But, last year's event had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. Schofield tells us, this year's drive is uncertain.
Click HERE for more information on how to donate diapers.
Click HERE for more on how to give food or monetary donations to the Food Bank of North Alabama.