Two new grants will make it possible for the Blazer Kitchen to continue serving Blazers during the coronavirus crisis — and expand that service to others in the Birmingham community. Blazer Kitchen provides pre-packed bags via drive-thru at Medical Towers noon-6 p.m. Wednesdays and the Hill Student Center 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays; it has provided more than 12,600 meals since March 18.
The first grant, which totals $1,751, is Blazer Kitchen’s share of a $100 million gift to nonprofit organization Feeding America from Amazon Inc. founder Jeff Bezos, distributed to Blazer Kitchen by the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, the area’s Feeding America affiliate. The amount received is based on the number of food items Blazer Kitchen has distributed since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and the money will be used to purchase additional food items from the Community Food Bank.
The campus food pantry also received an $8,000 gift from the national Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation, which the Blazer Kitchen will use to make available healthy options tastier by purchasing spices and additional ingredients needed for recipes to include in prepackaged food boxes. Fighting food insecurity is Alpha Gamma Delta’s philanthropic focus, and their Fighting Hunger grants provide aid to local food pantries, food banks and meal-assistance programs for children, families and seniors.
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“As the coronavirus pandemic continues, the need on campus and in Birmingham will only grow, and we are fortunate to be able to better meet those demands now.” |
“We are so excited to be able to expand our offerings to the Blazer community with these two gifts,” said Lisa Higginbotham, Benevolent Fund manager. “As the coronavirus pandemic continues, the need on campus and in Birmingham will only grow, and we are fortunate to be able to better meet those demands now.”
Blazer Kitchen was also selected by the Community Food Bank to distribute 400 food boxes to the wider Birmingham community, specifically to citizens who have a need for food due to the coronavirus crisis but do not regularly access food pantries. The first 400 households to arrive at Medical Towers between noon-6 p.m. May 11 will receive a box.
“We remain committed to fighting food insecurity on campus and in our community,” Higginbotham said. “If you want to help us continue that battle, please consider making an gift online to help a Blazer in need.”
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Benevolent Fund continuing to help employees
