The Growth of Community Food Banks in Alabama's Smallest Towns
The smallest towns in Alabama, each with fewer than 100 inhabitants, have fascinating histories. According to data from the 2023 Census, there are already 19 such communities. Haleburg now boasts more than 100 citizens, and three new towns—Ridgeville, Myrtlewood, and Lowesboro—have joined the list.
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Among the noteworthy little towns are:
The residence of former Alabama Governor Benjamin Meek Miller is Oak Hill, Wilcox County, with a population of 13.
Sumter County's Emelle, which has a population of 24, is well-known for its sizable hazardous waste landfill.
Mooresville, a well-preserved 19th-century town in Limestone County with a population of 48, is where Disney's Tom and Huck was filmed.
Goldville, Tallapoosa County, has a population of 56 More than 3,500 individuals lived in this thriving gold-mining community.
Blue Springs State Park is located in Blue Springs, Barbour County, which has a population of 79.
The Community Food Bank Grows to Fulfill Increasing Demand
In preparation for its spring 2026 opening, the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama has started building a new, larger distribution center in Bessemer. The existing facility in Birmingham is not large enough to accommodate demand. By doubling in size, the new facility will increase productivity and distribute food more effectively among 12 counties.
Important aspects of the expansion include:
more room for storage and refrigeration.
improved facilities for incoming and outgoing freight.
improved area for volunteers to put together food boxes.
Currently, the food bank helps many working families that are temporarily struggling by distributing two million pounds of food each month. However, 3 million pounds of food have been lost as a result of USDA budget changes, making donations urgently needed. The food bank is requesting community assistance to help finance the final $7 million required for the new building in order to close this deficit.
"We may not solve hunger in our lifetime, but we will continue working towards it," CEO Nicole Williams said, underscoring the ongoing purpose.
