USDA cuts impacting Community Food Bank of Central Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The USDA funding cuts are beginning to impact the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama.

They distributed around 25 million pounds of food in 2024 and around 3 million pounds - or 12% of that food - came from two USDA programs that are now cut.

Still, the food bank says they are committed to ensuring nobody goes hungry.

Marketing and Communications Manager David McGarr says they first heard about the possibility of cuts back in January when some programs were frozen, but the cuts became official about a week and a half ago.

Some sections of the USDA aisle in the warehouse are now empty.

McGarr says two of the six USDA programs are getting cut so while they’ll still receive some food from the department, it won’t be as much.

“LFPA was cut,” he explained. “That’s the Local Food Purchasing agreement and what that does is allows the food banks and other organizations to work directly with local farmers to get local produce and local protein into the hands of our neighbors.”

Because their neighbors are the focus, McGarr says they still plan on serving food to those in need, but they are asking for your help.

“One of the ways that our community can get involved and help is to donate,” he said. “We can really stretch every dollar further. Then also host a food drive! Host a food drive with your family, with your friends, with your coworkers at work and give back in that way. Then also you can advocate on behalf of the food bank with your local politicians.”

Every letter, donation, and conversation counts when it comes to feeding people who are hungry and the food bank isn’t ending their mission.

“What we want our neighbors to know is that we’re still here for them,” said McGarr. “We’re still going to be giving out food. We’re still going to be distributing food along with our partners. We want them to know that we’re working on creative ways to make sure that they can put food on their table.”

If you can’t afford to buy food for yourself or your family, you can find free food by clicking or tapping here.

If you want to get involved by volunteering, you can click or tap here.

You can donate through the orange tab on their front web page by clicking or tapping here.

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