HUNTSVILLE, Ala — The Huntsville Assistance Program has been helping feed people in the Valley three times a week during the pandemic. A few weeks ago, things changed when the food pantry went empty. Our reporter, Sydney Stallworth, went out to cover that story.
But, now we hear things are looking up.
We met with Gayla Kidd, Executive Director of the Huntsville Assistance Program. She says, “The shelves are absolutely overflowing.” Gayla Kidd tells our reporter, “Many people, many organizations, many churches saw the bit that you did on Channel 54 and came to our rescue and have brought lots and lots of food.”
Thanks to the help of the community, the food pantry wasn’t closed for long. Gayla Kidd tells us, “We were only down for probably two of our distribution days, but people came along so quickly.”
They're not the only ones. We're told, business and individuals have come by to drop off donations. Kim Houser, Director of the Huntsville Assistance Program says it was “...just an outpouring of help to get us back to where we can open the doors.”
The program is still in need! If you want to drop food donations, consider calling ahead to see which items they need more of.
The Huntsville Assistance program can be reached at
The community is helping support a group that supports so many others.
HAP has been helping people pay their utility bills during the pandemic, and before. Gayla Kidd tells us, “You know we’re a very rich county with very poor people. And when they are laid off from work and they’re used to getting very high salaries and they’re trying to get unemployment, which is almost impossible… we’re so proud and grateful that we can step forward.”
The program also provides feminine hygiene products to women and girls in need and distributes go-bags for our friends in the valley who are without a home.
Gayla Kidd tells our reporter, “We’ve been in existence for 20 years and we have not found a day in those 20 years that there was not someone in need. So, we look forward to another 20 years. And beyond.”
The food pantry giveaways are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1-3pm. But, if you do come, you have to bring some documents with you.
We're told "To receive food you need to bring a photo ID for all adults in your family, social security card for everyone in your family and a recent bill showing your name/address."
You can find that information in the HAP Facebook post below: