In Walker County, nearly half of Jasper City Schools’ students qualify for free or reduced lunch, a reflection of how many local families face challenges putting food on the table.
United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) is helping eliminate that shortfall in nutrition. Our inCommunity program is supporting the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, a UWCA partner agency, in expanding access to nutritious food through a new Family Market.
Working Together to Meet Local Needs
The Family Market is a collaboration among the Food Bank, Jasper City Schools, Jasper First Baptist Church and United Way. On the third Thursday of each month, the market operates from Jasper First Baptist, a central downtown location familiar to many students and families. The church provides space and volunteers to help with distribution, while school staff assist with outreach and logistics.
“We chose Jasper First Baptist because it was accessible, already connected to families and had the space needed to handle deliveries safely,” said Jonah Barrett, United Way’s Walker County Community School Coordinator. “The church has really embraced it, which has been incredible to see.”
Pastor Andy Frazier of Jasper First Baptist said the church views the Family Market as an extension of its mission to serve the community.
“At Jasper’s First Baptist Church, we believe faith is meant to be lived out through service, and by partnering to host the Jasper Community Family Market, we have the opportunity to meet real needs in our community while building meaningful relationships with our neighbors,” he shared. “Each month, we’re reminded that showing love, dignity, and hope in Christ is at the heart of who we are and what we’re called to do as a church.”
The first Family Market opened in October and served more than 30 families through its drive-thru distribution. Additional boxes were sent to schools so families could pick them up at the end of the school day. Organizers expect participation to grow in the months ahead, especially as the community prepares for the holidays.
Making Healthy Food More Accessible
Each box includes shelf-stable items such as pasta, rice, peanut butter and canned goods. But unlike a traditional food pantry, the Family Market items are pre-boxed and distributed the same day they arrive.
Families qualify simply by living in Walker County and having at least one child younger than 18. There are no income restrictions.
“We wanted to make the process as simple as possible for families,” Barrett said. “The goal is to make sure no child in our community goes hungry.”
The next Family Market will take place Thursday, December 18th at Jasper First Baptist Church, serving up to 100 families.
Through inCommunity, United Way works directly with local schools and partners to identify needs and create collaborative solutions that strengthen families and neighborhoods. The Family Market in Jasper is one more example of local partners coming together to support people’s most pressing needs.
To learn more about how United Way of Central Alabama addresses hunger, click here.