Huntsville’s Downtown Rescue Mission experiencing food shortage. Here is what they need
Huntsville’s Downtown Rescue Mission is experiencing a critical shortage of non-perishable food items, the shelter announced this week.
Rescue Mission spokesperson Amber Capello told AL.com a noticeable increase in demand for food assistance and a recent decline in non-perishable food items have contributed to the shortage of pantry resources at its facility at 1400 Evangel Drive in northwest.
The plea for donations follows a recent study by Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap showing food insecurity is increasing in north Alabama.
Almost 190,000 experiencing food insecurity in north Alabama, study says – al.com
The shelter serves the city’s homeless population, providing daily meals and emergency shelter 24/7. It also serves as a warming center during the winter, giving shelter to hundreds during winter storms that hit the area earlier this year.
“In addition to meals and shelter, we offer life transformation programs, medical care and outreach to men, women and children in our community,” the mission said in a statement. “The food shortage directly threatens our ability to meet the nutritional needs of those we serve.”
Donations can be dropped off the mission any day of the week between the hours of 8 am. And 8:00 pm. People can also give online at downtownrescuemission.org.
Most needed items:
- Boxed macaroni and cheese
- Bags of rice
- Cake mixes
- Canned meats including tuna, Vienna sausages and SPAM
- Canned vegetables including mixed vegetables, sweet peas, carrots, greens, peas, beans
- Cereal
- Chef Boyardee canned products
- Chili (Pull top cans preferred)
- Chips
- Cookies
- Crackers
- Dry beans and peas
- Oatmeal
- Pancake Mix
- Pasta
- Pasta sauce
- Peanut butter
- Pop-Tarts
- Rice-A-Roni
- Soups (Pull top cans preferred)
- Syrup
The mission served 442,070 meals and distributed 3,939 food boxes to the community last year. The mission has been providing shelter, food, clothing and medical service to the area’s homeless population since it opened in 1975. In addition to the shelter, it also operates thrift stores in the Huntsville area.