Gleaning in Alabama

 

In 2022, through June:
94,183 pounds of food gleaned and distributed
376,732 servings of fresh food shared
168 events held to rescue and share food
169 volunteers engaged in hands-on service
35 recipient agencies and partners

Download the Alabama Annual Impact Summary

Through the Alabama Gleaning Network, SoSA coordinates volunteers in many areas of the state who actually enter fields after farmers have finished harvesting and simply pick up the tons of good produce left behind.

Each year, we coordinate hundreds of volunteers to glean hundreds of thousands of pounds of farm-fresh fruits and vegetables across Alabama. And you’re invited to join in this exciting hands-on ministry!

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Based in Birmingham, The Society of St. Andrew’s Alabama regional office (established in 2005) coordinates the state-wide Alabama Gleaning Network (AGN), handles the placement and distribution of large loads with the Potato and Produce Project, and advocates on behalf of numerous hunger relief programs.

The Alabama Gleaning Network coordinates volunteers across the state who enter fields and orchards after farmers have finished harvesting and pick up the tons of good, nutritious produce left behind. This food is delivered to local food banks, pantries, soup kitchens, and other agencies to feed hungry people across the state.

In addition to many incredible volunteers, donors, farmers, and nonprofits, SoSA is proud to partner with the organizations in the mission to bring people together to harvest and share healthy food.

The Society of St. Andrew makes all arrangements regarding the farmers, produce containers, and food distribution. All that volunteer gleaners need to do is sign up and show up! Most gleaning events occur in the early morning and last around 3-4 hours. Farmer’s market gleanings may be closer to noon and last about 2 hours. Volunteer groups are encouraged to take food back to agencies or programs they support in their local area, or the AGN can arrange for an agency to pick up.

SoSA’s volunteers represent groups from various church denominations, synagogues, youth groups, retirees, corporate and civic organizations, rural and inner-city residents, and other service-minded individuals. People of all ages can glean. Gleaners should be able to bend and lift several pounds of produce, as well as stoop down or reach up to gather produce.

The Regional Office is led by two full-time staff— working diligently to bring gleaned food to hungry Alabamians. Elizabeth Wix is the Alabama Regional Director and Adrienne Standridge is the Alabama Program Coordinator.

SoSA staff: Adrienne, center; Elizabeth, right.

Prior to joining the SoSA team, Elizabeth served as Director of Partnerships and briefly as interim Executive Director for the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama. Her education includes 2 degrees from The University of Alabama and course training from the IUPUI Lilly School of Philanthropy.

Adrienne is dedicated to volunteer-work and giving back to the local community. Her background in marketing, sales, logistics, and dispatch makes her ideal for coordinating gleans, leading volunteers, and organizing distributions. SoSA’s success in every area depends on mobilizing local residents as volunteers to glean and distribute fresh food to local agencies.

SoSA partners with the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service of Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities in their “Grow More, Give More” program encouraging gardeners to grow extra and give back to their communities. And SoSA proudly helps distribute this food locally. Click to learn more.

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How can my congregation or faith community get involved?

SoSA works to establish a community of love and to support lives of service and action, according to the Gospel witness. If you or your faith community are interested in receiving spiritual resources about hunger and hunger relief, or having a SoSA staff member speak at your congregation, contact our regional director.

If I have food, how can I donate it?

We work to make donating as easy as possible, and the interests and investments of our farmers are our highest priority. To find out more about donating, contact our program coordinator. Click to learn more.

How can my agency receive free food through SoSA?

It’s simple! Contact your program coordinator to start the conversation. We would love to hear about your work, your service population and food needs, and why you do what you do. Please send an e-mail to al-glean@endhunger.org and include your name, contact information, agency location and hours, and your nonprofit EIN (if you have one).

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