This year has brought both great progress and new challenges for communities. Together, we’ve expanded meal access, strengthened partnerships, and helped more children and families find stability through programs like summer meals.
At the same time, families across the country are feeling the strain of delays in SNAP benefits. 42 million Americans, including 16 million kids, experienced delays in their November grocery assistance. In Alabama, over 750,000 residents rely on SNAP. According to the Department of Human Resources, over 330,600 of these were children. SNAP is our nation’s largest nutrition program and communities simply can’t fill the gap.
For many households, these benefits are a lifeline, helping parents put nourishing meals on the table. When those benefits are delayed, kids often feel the impact first. Hunger doesn’t just mean an empty stomach, it also affects how children are able to show up at school ready to learn and play.
This year has underscored both the challenges we face and the strength of our collective response. But in the face of these challenges, schools and nonprofits continue to show extraordinary commitment and compassion. School nutrition teams make sure students have access to breakfast and lunch, no matter what’s happening at home. Food pantries, community centers, and local nonprofits are stretching resources to fill the gaps—packing meal boxes, organizing food drives, and ensuring no child is forgotten.
In Alabama, we are in this work together. No Kid Hungry Alabama is committed to ensuring kids have access to the food they need every day.
To every educator, volunteer, and community leader who refuses to let a child go hungry: thank you.
While the path ahead remains complex, our shared progress shows what is possible when we work together toward a common goal. Below are a few highlights that show how kids win when we work together.
Rural Non-Congregate Summer Meal Expansion
Photos from a Summer Site in Haleyville City, AL.
Transportation challenges often make it difficult for rural families to reach summer meal sites. That’s why non-congregate meal models, like grab-and-go or home delivery, have been transformative.
In summer 2025, 5 sponsors across 10 counties offered rural non-congregate meal programs, serving over 1.1 million meals to children across Alabama. Thanks to the hard work of our partners, more children than ever were able to enjoy healthy summer meals right at home.
To read more about who our grantees were this past summer, read our blog here.
Each success represents the care, creativity, and determination of partners like you. “I am endlessly inspired by the people and organizations across Alabama who show up every day to make sure no child goes hungry. Your compassion and commitment make all the difference,” said Kate Goodin, No Kid Hungry Alabama.
