Tuscaloosa area food pantries are preparing for increased demand ahead of the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and procedures in November.
The Alabama Department of Human Resources confirmed Oct. 27 that no new benefits will be issued beginning Nov. 1 due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
DHR said it received official guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. According to the agency, recipients will be able to use benefits issued to their electronic benefit transfer card before Nov. 1, at any SNAP authorized retailer.
DHR said the Food and Nutrition Service is suspending all November 2025 benefit allotments until either federal funding is provided, or FNS directs State agencies otherwise, according to a news release.
Volunteers from the University of Alabama Chandni Bhat and Caleb Buell sort food items Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at West Alabama Food Bank.
People can still apply for SNAP benefits during the suspension and DHR will continue to process applications and determine eligibility, but benefits will not be issued until the suspension is lifted. Current SNAP recipients must continue to recertify their benefits, report as they normally would, and submit all documentation that would normally be required for them to continue in the program, the release states.
DHR said these steps are important so DHR can submit each recipient’s benefit file as soon as the suspension is lifted.
“SNAP benefits are 100% federally funded; therefore USDA (FNS) controls the issuance of these benefits on EBT cards. I was pleased to learn that FNS plans to reimburse November administrative costs which will help states financially,” said Nancy Buckner, Alabama DHR Commissioner, in the Oct. 27 news release.
“We know SNAP benefits are vitally important to the more than 750,000 Alabamians who depend on the more than $140 million in support each month. Alabama DHR, along with many others, hopes Congress will come to a quick resolution on the federal government shutdown,” Buckner said.
Clients who need additional food support during this time are encouraged reach out to their local Feeding Alabama affiliated food bank, visit feedingalabama.org, or any other food resources available in their local communities, the release sates.
Temporary Emergency Services has been helping the Tuscaloosa community for more than 80 years.
Karen-Thompson Jackson, executive director of Temporary Emergency Services, said the organization is one of many resources available to support families in need during this time.
“We are reaching out to the public to let individuals and companies know in our community that we are one of the resources that individuals and families can come to, to receive food,” Thompson said.
According to its website, TES helps families in need by providing financial and other temoporary assistance. TES operates a thrift store and provides area resients with food bags, clothing, baby items and personal hygene products. The agency also offers an in-house shower facility and can provide money for utilities, birth certificates, tooth extraction and some prescriptions.
Thompson said the organization is also accepting donations in order to meet the increased demand of food.
“This is the only way that we’re probably going to make it through this (is) with the community assisting us,” she said.
Thompson said most needed items include: canned goods, fruits and vegetables with longer shelf lives, such as apples and potatoes, and baby formula. Perishable items like bananas and lettuce are less suitable due to their quick spoilage.
Thompson also highlighted the broader impact on the community, including WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) recipients, who may need baby formula.
She encourages the community to support food banks and other entities that provide food assistance.
“The impact can be very large, depending on how long we kind of stay in this situation,” Thompson said.
“So I’m just reminding individuals that would like to contribute, there’s not only just temporary emergency services. We also have other entities that are recipients of food so they have food closets or food banks, so do your research,” she said.
Thompson also wants to remind the community that their support is needed year round, especially during seasonal changes and upcoming holidays.
“This is not going to be the only time that we’re going to need you,” she said.
Food pantries in Tuscaloosa County
● St. Mathias Episcopal Church, 2310 Skyland Blvd., 9 a.m.–11 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month. Call205-553-7282.
● Temporary Emergency Services, 1705 15th St., 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 205-758-5535.
● The Salvation Army, 2715 18th St., 8:30 a.m.–2:45 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Call 205-632-3691, extension 105.
● Tuscaloosa Church of God, 4115 Fifth Ave., on the second Saturday of each month. Call 205-292-9664.
● University Church of Christ, 1200 Julia Tutwiler Drive, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. on the second and third Wednesday of the month. Call 205-394-7536.
● Feed My Sheep, 15591 Thomas Chapel Road in Cottondale, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Mondays. Call 205-246-5655.
● Forest Lake United Methodist Church, 1711 Fourth Ave., serves hot meals 5 p.m.-6 p.m. on Wednesdays. Call 205-758-6667.
● Grace Church, 2212 Hargrove Road E., 9:30 a.m.–11 a.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. Call 205-4621144.
● Hope City Church, 3800 University Blvd. E., 8 a.m.–9:30 a.m. on the first and third Saturday of the month. Call 205-469-9575.
● I Care Food Bank-Maranatha SDA, 2614 Herman Ave., noon-3 p.m. on the first Sunday of the month. Call 973-600-7459.
● Lakewood Baptist Church, 14668 Highway 43 N in Northport, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Tuesdays. Call 205-333-0414.
● Saint Vincent De Paul, 733 James Harrison Jr Parkway, by appointment only. Call 205-561-0282.
● Pleasant Grove Baptist, 16995 Walden Pond in Brookwood, 8:30 a.m.-noon Mondays. Call 205-554-7706.
● St. Mark UMC, 1421 McFarland Blvd. in Northport, 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m.–10 a.m. and noo–1 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 205-339-5990.
● Community Soup Bowl, 1711 23rd Ave., serves hot meals daily, 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m. Call 205-752-2421.
● Canterbury Episcopal Chapel, 812 Fifth Ave. 6:45 a.m.–8 a.m. on Tuesdays. Call 205-345-9590.
● Center of Hope, Saint Mark AME, 2715 18th St., 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. Call 205-886-2320.
● Christian Ministry Center (Tuscaloosa Baptist Association), 3880 Watermelon Road in Northport, 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Call 205-799-1618.
● Coker United Methodist Church, 14992 Highway 140, on the third Friday of the month. Call 205-799-2722.
● Cottondale UMC, 2117 Church St., 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on the third Saturday of the month. Call 205-292-9621.
● First Community Outreach, 2700 18th St., 9 a.m. until noon on the third Saturday of the month or by appointment. Call 205-454-2027.
● Catholic Social Services of West Alabama, 608 James Harrison Jr. Parkway, 9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Monday-Wednesday. The pantry is by appointment only. Call 205-759-1268.
● Coaling Baptist Church, 11209 Nagler Coaling Road, 10 a.m. until noon on the third Thursday of each month. Fresh produce 3 p.m.–4 p.m. Sundays. Call 205-556-2775.
● Table of Grace 113 Hargrove Road, noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays and noon until 2 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. Call 205-758-1193.
● Wings of Grace, 3101 Alabama Ave. E., 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Thursdays. Call 205-759-1039.
● East Tuscaloosa Community Soup Bowl, 4001 University Blvd. E. Hot meals Wednesdays and Fridays, noon–1 p.m. Call 205-861-2044.
● Weeping Mary Baptist Church, 2701 20th St., by appointment only. Call 205-242-8887.
Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com. To support her work, please subscribe to The Tuscaloosa News.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Where to find food pantries in Tuscaloosa County
SNAP benefits, Alabama Department of Human Resources, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food and Nutrition Service, federal government shutdown, food banks, Karen-Thompson Jackson, Tuscaloosa, Alabama DHR
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