Meal packet distribution expands

What started as a private program to provide school-aged children with meals for the weekend has expanded to include meals for entire families.

Wednesday was the second week the packets of food for both children and families were handed out at the Fire Station on U.S. Highway 80 East. All of the 60-70 kids packets and 60 family bags had been distributed to drive-through patrons within an hour.

The weekend food packets are provided by the West Alabama Food Bank in Northport, brought to Demopolis by Fire/Rescue personnel who live in Tuscaloosa and are paid for by Young Demopolis. The first grab-and-go meals were distributed April 8.

To fill another gap in meals for families that are food insecure, area churches have banded together to provide bags of food for a family of four. First Baptist Church serves as the collection site.