Supporting Seniors with Nutritious Food—The Senior Supplement Program
Supporting Seniors with Nutritious Food—The Senior Supplement Program
Seniors on a fixed income face difficult choices every day. With limited financial resources, they often must decide between purchasing medications, paying utilities, or buying the food they need to stay healthy. The Senior Supplement Program (SSP) is here to help ease that challenge.
Through this program, we deliver monthly food boxes filled with 12 to 25 pounds of essential, nutritious foods—carefully selected to ensure seniors have access to the vitamins, protein, and fiber often missing from their diets. Fresh produce and high-protein foods are central to the box’s contents, allowing seniors to maintain better health and independence without worrying about their next meal.
Making a difference for seniors, one box at a time.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
What is SNAP?
SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, designed to help individuals and families purchase the food they need for good health. Benefits are provided on an electronic card (EBT), which works like a bank or ATM card, making it easy to access your benefits.
Where Can I Use SNAP?
SNAP can be used at most supermarkets, grocery stores, and even some farmers’ markets. It covers the cost of most foods, though prepared hot foods are excluded. You can also use SNAP to purchase seeds and plants that can grow food at home.
Am I Eligible for SNAP?
Find out if you qualify for SNAP benefits by filling out the quick 3 minute screener below.
How Can I Apply for SNAP?
We’re here to help. Use the screener to get started with the application process, and our team will guide you every step of the way.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program:
Improving Health for Seniors in Need
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) was created to improve the health and well-being of low-income seniors aged 60 and older in Central Alabama. By providing nutritious USDA Foods, we help supplement diets and ensure seniors receive the nutrients often lacking in their daily meals.
Each CSFP food package is carefully designed to address seniors’ specialized nutritional needs, ensuring they receive essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for better health. These packages play a crucial role in combating senior hunger, helping reduce the risk of costly hospital visits and the need for nursing home care.
Supporting healthier, more independent lives for seniors in our community.
Feeding Our Heroes: Supporting Veterans & Active-Duty Military
At the Heart of Alabama Food Bank, we believe that no hero should ever go hungry. Through our Feeding Our Heroes initiative, we provide critical food assistance to both veterans and active-duty military families who are facing food insecurity. These brave men and women have dedicated their lives to protecting our country—now, we are committed to ensuring they have the nourishment they need to thrive.
Veteran Hunger
Veteran hunger is a growing crisis, with as many as 1 in 9 working-age veterans experiencing food insecurity. In response, HAFB launched Alabama’s first food bank-supported veteran pantry, Dr. Joseph Ward’s Veteran Food Pantry in Tuskegee, serving over 8,000 meals in its first year. Our partnership with the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs has expanded our outreach, allowing us to distribute over 10,450 meals at veteran-focused community events that address mental health, preventative care, and overall well-being.
Hero's Harvest: Supporting Active-Duty Military & Their Familities
For many active-duty service members, financial strain and frequent relocations create significant barriers to food security. Shockingly, as many as 1 in 4 active-duty military families struggle to access nutritious meals. Hero’s Harvest ensures that those who protect our nation have the support they need at home. By partnering with Maxwell and Gunter Air Force Bases, community organizations, and local leaders, we provide fresh, healthy food to service members and their families so they can focus on their mission without worrying about their next meal.
Contact us to learn more about supporting Feeding Our Heros.
Child Nutrition Programs—Fighting Hunger, Supporting Growth
In Alabama, nearly 250,000 children—or 1 in 5—face food insecurity, meaning they experience hunger every day. To address this, the Heart of Alabama Food Bank and our four Affiliated Food Banks provide a variety of programs to ensure that children and families have access to the food they need, year-round.
To combat hunger over weekends and school breaks, our Backpack Food Program provides children with easy-to-prepare meals they can enjoy at home. We partner with our agencies to distribute these bags, ensuring that kids return to school on Monday ready to learn and grow.
Additionally, our School Pantry Programs provide access to food assistance directly on-site at schools, making it easier for families to get the support they need. Located inside or near schools, these pantries offer families access to fresh food and additional resources.
These programs are helping to build a stronger, healthier future for Alabama’s children.
The Heart of Alabama Food Bank, in partnership with eight Community Colleges, Alabama State University, Troy University, Auburn University and South University, has launched Campus Hunger, which provides students with on-site access to various nutritious foods. HAFB recognizes the challenges college students face while attending college, most of which are financial and also accessing enough nutritious food while away from home. Through these partnerships, HAFB has been able to distribute over 55,000 meals to students in need.
Workforce Development: Investing in People, Changing Lives
At the Heart of Alabama Food Bank, we believe in second chances—and in the power of skill-building to open doors for a better future. That’s why we’ve launched a Workforce Development Initiative to equip inmates with the tools, education, and certifications they need to thrive—both while working with us and after release.
A 25+ Year Partnership with Purpose
For over two decades, HAFB has partnered with local correctional facilities to provide incarcerated individuals with meaningful work experience in our warehouse. Now, we’re taking that commitment further by integrating education and certification opportunities into the inmate work experience—ensuring they don’t have to choose between earning income and advancing their future.