Saint Stephen's Response to Anticipated Food Need in our Community

In anticipation of the temporary end to SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) on November 1, 2025, we at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church anticipate an increased need among residents in the greater Birmingham area. There are 23,000 households across our metro area who rely on these supplements, and nearly 40% of SNAP recipients are children.


In anticipation of the needs of the vulnerable in our community and coupled with current feeding programs needing additional support, Saint Stephen’s will begin collecting non-perishable food items as of this Sunday, November 2. Food can be dropped off in the foyer of the main entrance or in the elevator lobby just inside the porte cochere. We plan to serve as a collection point for the foreseeable future as we work with additional community partners for outreach.


Here are a few ways you can respond to this need:

  • Bring non-perishable food items to church.

  • Take food donations to Christ Church Fairfield, our parish partner, on the first and third Wednesday of each month between 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

  • Volunteer to help distribute food on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. Contact the Rev. Deacon Kay Williams for more information, 2cor915@live.org, 205-305-4179.

  • Donate food items or cash to the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, feedingal.org or call 205-942-8911.

  • Donate food items to Grace Klein Community, gracekleincommunity.com.

  • Offer to volunteer at the many food distribution sites across the Greater Birmingham Area.

  • Donate financially to clergy discretionary accounts. The clergy regularly receive calls requesting assistance with utility bills. As food resources become scarce, we anticipate this need will increase.

  • Put together bags of food items to keep in your car along with a list of resources for those who need shelter or food to be able to give people who approach you for assistance. These services will connect the caller to the closest open food pantry or hot meal site:

o   Call 211 from any phone, or visit online: www.211connectsalabama.org

o   Text your zip code to 898-211

o   General Resource finder: findhelp.org

o   Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, feedingal.org/find-food/ 205-942-8911.

Stasi Bara