Secret Meals for Hungry Children

With one of the highest poverty rates in the country, 20 percent of Alabama children live below the poverty level. With many families relying on free or reduced-price meals from schools, weekends can be a tough time.

 
Lack of nutrition prevents students from learning and can cause physical and developmental problems. A growing number of these children urgently need the services provided by Alabama Credit Union’s Secret Meals program. 

 To reduce the number of hungry children, Alabama Credit Union is partnering with regional food banks and volunteers to provide healthy weekend meals through Secret Meals for Hungry Children. We are dedicated to this program and the long-term effects we believe it will have.

 
Identifying Underfed Children

Students up to fifth grade are identified by school faculty, who watch for certain warning signs: 

• Eating everything that is available to them, especially early in the week.
• Hoarding food as the weekend approaches. 

About The Food Packs

Students receive food packs in their backpacks on the last day of school before a weekend or holiday. This is done anonymously to prevent the child from being singled out or made to feel uncomfortable. Parents or guardians are not usually notified to prevent the food being taken by an older child or adult. Each food pack contains items such as easy pull-tab cans, juices, crackers, etc. All items are child-friendly, nonperishable, easily consumed and vitamin-fortified. The pack’s weight makes it easy for young children to carry in their backpack.

These packs of food may be all of the nutrition these children receive
during the weekend. A weekend is a long time to be hungry. 

How To Do Your Part

• Enroll A School
  Please contact Dusti Monk at (205) 348-5946 or visit our Web site for more information.
• As A Volunteer
  Many fundraising opportunities are scheduled through Alabama Credit Union’s Community Involvement Committee. If you’d like to volunteer your time, please contact Dusti Monk at dmonk@AlabamaCU.com or (205) 348-5946.
• Donate Funds
  You are invited to support the Secret Meals for Hungry Children program by donating money. The current cost to supply one child with a food pack each Friday for the entire school year is $120. To make a monetary donation:
  • Stop by any Alabama Credit Union location to make a donation
  • Make a check made payable to Alabama Credit Union’s Community Involvement Committee, RE: Secret Meals for Hungry Children Program. Mail to:
    Alabama Credit Union, Attn: Secret Meals, P.O. Box 862998 Tuscaloosa, AL 35486
  • Use convenient payroll deduction -- For a payroll deduction to be set up for each payroll check, please select the correct form below, fill it out and give it to your employer's payroll department.
    * North Alabama Form  *West Alabama Form  *Bay Area Form

Tuscaloosa Area

Bay Area

North Alabama Area

FAQs

1. Can I contribute food, such as fresh vegetables or canned goods?
   Unfortunately, not for this program. The regional food banks purchase these food packs in bulk from Feeding America to keep costs low.
2. Is my donation tax-deductible?
   Yes, to the extent allowed by law, if your check is made payable to the regional food bank that you choose to support. Make your check payable to one of the following: 
   1. West Alabama Food Bank--Secret Meals
   2. Food Bank Of North Alabama--Secret Meals
   3. Bay Area Food Bank--Secret Meals
3. Can I help distribute the food packs to the children?
   While your offer is appreciated, it’s important that the identities of the children remain unknown to anyone except school officials.
4. Is there a minimum amount I must contribute?
   No. Donations of all amounts are greatly appreciated.
5. Do hungry children receive food packs during the summer or extended school holidays?
   Unfortunately, no. However, summer meals are provided through regional food banks.