4 places to share the holiday spirit in Birmingham, including Meals on Wheels

This holiday season, instead of getting caught up in what gifts to buy and which parties to attend, consider how you can give back to the community. From donating food to volunteering to serve and deliver meals, here are some ways you can give back to this holiday season in Birmingham.

Community Food Bank of Central Alabama

Community Food Bank of Central Alabama originated in 1981 through the help of volunteers from United Way of Central Alabama and the Greater Birmingham Foundation. Their goal—to ensure people in need can access emergency food near where they live. 

For every dollar donated, Community Food Bank of Central Alabama is able to provide up to eight meals. This helps serve over 11 million meals each year.

Here’s a look at what this organization provides:

• Millions of meals per year to over 230 food pantries, shelters and children’s programs in 12 counties in Central Alabama. 
• Feeds over 60,000 people at risk of hunger per month.
• Delivers food to key locations—schools, senior housing facilities, medical clinics, etc.

The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama is currently accepting individual and group volunteers. Sign up.

For more information, call 205.942.8911.

Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham

If you’d like to donate non-perishable food items or volunteer to those in need this holiday season, consider the Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham.

There are three ways to donate:

1. Drop Off Your Donation: 

Where: 2015 26th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35234
When: Weekly, Monday-Friday
Time: 9AM-3PM

2. Schedule a Donation Pickup 

To schedule a time for your donation items to be picked up by a Salvation Army volunteer, call 205.328.2420.

3. Donate Online

Click here to donate online. Every dollar helps.

Here’s what’s needed most at the Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham:

• Cereal, oatmeal, grits
• Peanut Butter
• Jelly
• Canned meat (tuna, salmon, chicken, beef)
• Beans: canned or dried
• Cooking oil or spray
• Condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo, etc.)
• Flour, sugar, cornmeal
• Salt/Pepper
• Canned fruit and vegetables
• Powdered milk and creamer
• Pasta and rice
• Canned or Bottled Pasta Sauces
• Canned Soups
• Crackers
• Tea

If you would like to volunteer in person with the Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham, here’s how:

1. Complete your registration.
2. Check out their calendar and sign up.

You can also contact them directly via email or by calling 205.328.0743.

Meals on Wheels

Did you know that 21,000 seniors in Jefferson County are homebound? Luckily, Meals on Wheels’ local program actively works to provides more than 187,000 meals throughout Jefferson County each year. The program is administered by United Way of Central Alabama.

By donating just $10 to Meals on Wheels, you will help provide them with a warm meal this holiday season. Donate.

Would you like to become a Meals on Wheels volunteer? Consider delivering meals for them.

Requirements: deliver hot meals between 11AM and 1PM to homebound seniors in various areas of Jefferson County. Sign up. 

For more info, click here or call 205.592.0413.

The Community Kitchens

Have you heard about The Community Kitchens? A nonprofit organization located in Woodlawn, the Community Kitchens provides lunch to the hungry 365 days per year to locals in Birmingham. This amounts to over 70,000 meals served annually. 

All are welcome to accept a free meal via The Community Kitchens at St. Andrews Episcopal Church and Grace Episcopal Church in Woodlawn. 

To help The Community Kitchens’ mission to stop hunger, donate now.