Bay Area Food Bank helps local children

PRICHARD, Alabama (WALA) - A national meal program designed for low-income areas is helping a local organization. The "Light of the Village" in Prichard is getting much-needed resources to feed kids in the community.

You can see the happiness in their actions and the hope in their eyes. The Light of the Village, a non profit organization in Alabama Village takes children in the community under its wing.

"By being here 10 years, we are able to see the fruit of different organizations coming together to help provide support for the kids and the community as a whole," John Eads, Executive Director of The Light of the Village Ministry, said.

The organization is now running a summer camp where everything from food to activities are free.

"I know the kids have a safe place to be. They don't have to be running on the streets like they usually do, they can be somewhere having fun and staying out of trouble," volunteer Dacino Dees said.

"In the Christian ministry it's all about faith, love and hope of Christ. But that goes beyond the word, it goes through deeds, it goes through actions, and consistency. The food is just one part of that, showing love to kids and community is so important," Eads added.

The kids learn about the Lord and character values. In addition to feeding their souls, the camp also is feeding their stomachs through the Summer Food Service Program.

Every day, the Bay Area Food Bank drops off nutritional lunches. They feed about 100 kids here at the summer camp on a daily basis.

"When they bring food here, we know the kids have a meal. Some kids don't have a meal every day so they're doing a good thing by sending meals over here," Dees added.

Times are hard for many folks and this program is making an impact in many ways.

"It just goes along with our idea to bring faith, love and hope into the community," Eads added.

In the past, the organization would have to buy and make the lunches themselves, that cost about $300 a day. The money is now going toward services for the kids.