The Community Market - Food Bank of East Alabama

The Community Market

Mission Statement:

The Community Market of the Food Bank increases access to healthy food for all people who are in need in ways that cultivate dignity, self-sufficiency and community.

The Community Market, launched in January of 2003, functions as an extension of the Food Bank of East Alabama.

The Community Market distributes food in a friendly, grocery store environment for Lee County families in need. The Community Market is a client-choice food pantry that allows people to select the food that best fits their needs.

The Food Bank of East Alabama serves the food insecure in seven East Alabama counties.

The Community Market helps those experiencing food-insecurity by:

Providing food to clients with regular hours of distribution
Using the client-choice distribution system
Creating a welcoming and user-friendly environment
Providing information to clients about local, private and public aid programs and referring clients as needed to appropriate agencies
Getting a good account of the need in our community

Client Choice Food Pantry

Our pantry is like a small grocery store where shoppers can make wise food choices based on the preferences and nutritional needs of their families. Shoppers are welcome to “shop” from a supply of nutritionally balanced groceries, including fresh produce, frozen meat, canned and dry goods, bread and pastries, dairy and deli products, and other miscellaneous products such as condiments, snacks, baking products and more.

The Importance of Client Choice

Client choice is a pantry food distribution system that allows clients the opportunity to select substantial amounts of food while maintaining their dignity
The Community Market is similar to a small grocery store where clients are allowed to choose from the food available
Clients are encouraged to take what they need and can select food based on their own individual preferences, needs and circumstances.

The use of client choice, rather than standardized food boxes, greatly increases a food pantry’s ability to meet clients’ needs.

How to Get Help

1) Call 334-749-8844 beginning Tuesdays at 10 a.m. to make an appointment. Appointments can be made for Wednesday or Thursday or Friday of the same week. Appointments are also available on the first and second Saturdays of the month.

2) During the initial call, a staff member or volunteer will conduct a brief intake interview. Please have the following information available when calling:

Income for each family member
Names and dates of birth for each household member

3) Once the interview is complete, an appointment will be scheduled. Appointment times are: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. and the first and second Saturdays from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

4) When coming to shop, representatives will be asked to show a photo ID and proof of Lee County residency (such as a utility bill).

Brown Bag Program for Seniors

The Community Market also offers the Brown Bag Program which provides monthly supplementary groceries for Lee County seniors age sixty and older with limited income. Seniors complete an application form to enroll in the program.

Food distribution is offered Monday and Tuesday mornings.

Contact the Food Bank at 334-821-9006 for more information or to request an application to be mailed.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are the bedrock of the Community Market and they play a very important role in helping to maintain an atmosphere of dignity and compassion by assisting people in a concrete, caring way. Volunteers are given instructions and are placed according to interest.

Volunteer opportunities include: receptionist, intake, stocking shelves, weighing and bagging food, and warehouse organization.

For more information or to volunteer, contact the Community Market at 334-749-8844 or cduff@foodbankofeastalabama.com.