Where to find food assistance in Tuscaloosa County amid SNAP benefit halt

Food pantries in the Tuscaloosa area are preparing for increased demand ahead of the November suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and procedures.

The Alabama Department of Human Resources confirmed on October 27 that no new benefits would be issued starting November 1 due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

DHR said it has received official guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. Recipients will be able to use the benefits issued to their electronic benefit transfer cards at any SNAP authorized retailer before November 1, according to the agency.

DHR said the Food and Nutrition Service is suspending all November 2025 aid allocations until federal funding is available or FNS directs State agencies otherwise, according to a news release.

During the suspension, individuals can still apply for SNAP benefits 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 any documentation they would normally need to continue with the program, the release states.

DHR said these steps are important so that DHR can send each recipient’s benefit file as soon as the suspension is lifted.

“SNAP benefits are 100% federally funded, so USDA (FNS) controls the issuance of these benefits on EBT cards. I was pleased to learn that FNS plans to cover November administrative costs, which will assist states financially,” Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner said in an Oct. 27 news release.

“We know that SNAP benefits are vital to more than 750,000 Alabamians who need more than $140 million in support each month. Alabama DHR, along with many others, hope Congress will reach a swift resolution to the federal government shutdown,” Buckner said. he said.

Clients needing additional food support during this time are encouraged to contact their local food bank affiliated with Feeding Alabama and visit: feedalabama.orgor releasing other food resources available in their local communities.

Interim Emergency Services general manager Karen-Thompson Jackson said the organization was one of many resources available to support families in need during this time.

“We are reaching out to the public to let individuals and businesses in our community know that we are one of the resources that individuals and families can turn to to get food,” Thompson said. he said.

According to its website, TES helps families in need by providing financial and other temporary assistance. TES operates a thrift store and provides residents with food bags, clothing, baby items and personal hygiene products. The agency also offers in-house showers and can provide money for utilities, birth certificates, tooth extractions and some prescriptions.

Thompson said the organization is also accepting donations to meet the growing demand for food.

“With the community helping us, that’s probably the only way we can achieve this,” he said.

The most needed items include canned goods, fruits and vegetables with a longer shelf life such as apples and potatoes, and baby food, Thompson said. Perishable foods such as bananas and lettuce are less suitable because they spoil quickly.

Thompson also highlighted the broader impact on society, including WIC (Women, Infants and Children) recipients who need baby formula.

It encourages the community to support food banks and other organizations that provide food assistance.

“Depending on how long we stay in this situation, the impact could be huge,” Thompson said.

“So I would remind individuals who want to contribute that we don’t just have temporary emergency rooms. We also have other organizations that get food, so they have food pantries or food banks, and so does 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 won’t be the only time we’ll need you,” he said.

Food pantries in Tuscaloosa County

●St. Mathias Episcopal Church, 2310 Skyland Blvd., 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. the third Saturday of each month. Call 205-553-7282.

● Interim Emergency Services, 1705 15th Street, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 205-758-5535.

● Salvation Army, 2715 18th Street, Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. Call 205-632-3691, ext. 105.

● Tuscaloosa Church of God, 4115 Fifth Ave., second Saturday of each month. Call 205-292-9664.

● University Church of Christ, 1200 Julia Tutwiler Drive, second and third Wednesdays of the month, 1 to 4 p.m. Call 205-394-7536.

● Feed My Sheep, 15591 Thomas Chapel Road, Cottondale, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Mondays. Call 205-246-5655.

● Forest Lake United Methodist Church, 1711 Fourth Ave., serves hot meals on Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Call 205-758-6667.

● Grace Church, 2212 Hargrove Road E., second and fourth Thursday of the month, 9:30–11 a.m. Call 205-4621144.

● Hope City Church, 3800 University Blvd. E., first and third Saturdays of the month from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call 205-469-9575.

● I Care Food Bank-Maranatha SDA, 2614 Herman Ave., first Sunday of the month, noon-3 p.m. Call 973-600-7459.

● Lakewood Baptist Church, 14668 Highway 43 N, 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. Mondays. Call 205-554-7706.

●St. Mark UMC, 1421 McFarland Blvd. In Northport, Tuesdays 11:30am-2pm and Wednesdays 9am-10am and 1pm. Call 205-339-5990.

● Community Soup Bowl, 1711 23rd Ave., serves hot meals daily from 11 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. Call 205-752-2421.

● Canterbury Episcopal Chapel, 812 Fifth Ave. Tuesdays 06:45-08:00. Call 205-345-9590.

● Hope Center, Saint Mark AME, 2715 18th St., second and fourth Thursday of the month, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Call 205-886-2320.

● Christian Service Center (Tuscaloosa Baptist Association), 3880 Watermelon Road in Northport, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Call 205-799-1618.

● Coker United Methodist Church, 14992 Highway 140, third Friday of the month. Call 205-799-2722.

● Cottondale UMC, 2117 Church St., third Saturday of the month, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Call 205-292-9621.

● First Community Outreach, 2700 18th St., 9 a.m. to noon the third Saturday of the month or by appointment. Call 205-454-2027.

● Catholic Social Services of West Alabama, 608 James Harrison Jr. Parkway, Monday-Wednesday 09:30-11:30. The pantry is open by appointment only. Call 205-759-1268.

● Coaling Baptist Church, 11209 Nagler Coaling Road, 10 a.m. to noon the third Thursday of each month. Fresh produce on Sundays between 15:00-16:00. Call 205-556-2775.

● Table of Grace 113 Hargrove Road, Tuesdays from noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 2 p.m. Call 205-758-1193.

● Wings of Grace, 3101 Alabama Ave. E., Thursdays 08:30–12:30. 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 Ave., by appointment only. Call 205-242-8887.

Contact Jasmine Hollie at: JHollie@gannett.com. To support their work, Please subscribe to the Tuscaloosa News.

This article was first published in The Tuscaloosa News: Where are food pantries located in Tuscaloosa County?