Here at The Lovelady Center, we’re always looking for new ways to serve our community. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways just around the corner—or even across the street! We were recently blessed with an opportunity to step into the place of a long-standing and beloved ministry: Eastern Area Christian Ministries donated us their building, which had been equally donated to them 30+ years ago. We wished to continue with the ministry—and further serve our community—which has led us to open Lovelady Manna.
The Need for a Food Bank
It’s no secret that food insecurity is an issue in the United States. But something that most Alabamians don’t know? Alabama has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the country. And this is directly impacting our neighbors. 1 in 6 adults is affected by food insecurity. And the impact on children is even greater, with 1 in 4 children lacking access to adequate food.
The effects of food insecurity are far-reaching. For children, it damages their ability to learn and develop normally. For adults, a nutrient-lacking diet can lead to serious and chronic health issues. While there are government programs aimed at working against these problems, they sometimes fall short. That’s where community food banks, like Lovelady Manna, come in to fill the gaps.
How Lovelady Manna Will Serve
Our hopes for this community food bank are big! We already serve the women in our community by helping them reenter society as well-equipped women of God. So we’re extremely excited to expand our reach and services through Lovelady Manna.
We chose the name because of a story from the Bible. In Exodus, the Lord fed the Israelites with Manna when they were hungry. He promised that there would always be enough provision from Him. We thrive on this idea entirely. God will always provide enough for his people.
In that same effort, we’ll be doing everything we can to serve the needs of our neighbors and provide for them. Right now, we plan to serve the community five-to-six days a week, but we will adjust as we learn just how great the need is in our neighborhood.
Everything we do, including our new food bank, comes down to our key scripture. Matthew 25:31–40 drives everything that we do.
For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me in. I needed clothes, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you looked after me. I was in prison, and you came to visit me.
Want to Help? Here’s How.
If you’re looking to get involved and give back to the community, we welcome donations to help us with this new project. To learn more about us and how we’ve served our community in the past, visit our blog or join our newsletter!