Food bank helps families hurt by spill

BAYOU LA BATRE, Alabama (WALA) - The Bayou La Batre area is just one of many communities that has been devastated by the oil spill. Needy families have gotten a huge boost from the Bay Area Food Bank.

Boxes of food and crates of drinks were unloaded at St. Margaret Catholic Church in Bayou La Batre. The Bay Area Food Bank brought in 10,000 pounds of food for needy families. Army National Guardsmen helped each person get the food they needed. Jennifer Whiddon coordinated the event.

"That food includes fresh produce like tomatoes and potatoes. We also have rice, canned vegetables, canned items, baby food, different things like that and it's to benefit the people here that are out of work due to the oil disaster," Whiddon said.

This is the first time in a long time these people have felt a sense of hope. Two-hundred-twenty-five families who have been affected by the oil spill were able to come fill their box up with fresh, free, food.

Whiddon said the looks on peoples faces as they came through the line said it all.

"Well the folks that I have seen so far, they have been extremely grateful. One lady came through waving her arms saying too much too much and we said 'no take it we are giving this to you take it' and she clasped her hands together and said thank you thank you. So this is our way to give them hope for a future that right now doesn't look so great," explained Whiddon.

There are two more events scheduled to take place in the Bayou in the coming weeks. You have to be registered in the program in order to receive the food. Food bank staffers said they don't foresee any relief coming any time soon for the people who can't support themselves without fishing, shrimping, and oystering.