By By SHERRY DIGMON
Advance Staff Writer
The Bay Area Food Bank is setting up a distribution site in Atmore. The food bank will serve 12 food pantries in Escambia County, one of which is operated by Atmore Christian Care Ministry.
Kelly Brown with Atmore Christian Care Ministry (AACCM). "The Bay Area Food Bank serves food pantries and food programs in 19 counties, including Alabama, Florida and Mississippi counties. The food bank will increase and strengthen the availability of food in our community and beyond."
Lillie Johnson with Greater Mt. Triumph Baptist Church was instrumental in securing use of the old Escambia County Middle School building as a distribution site.
Bay Area Food Bank is part of America's Second Harvest, a non-profit organization based in Chicago. Second Harvest has 200 food banks across the United States.
All the agencies served by Bay Area Food Bank are 501(C3) agencies, as are the food bank itself and Atmore Christian Care Ministry. Churches also may be members, since the Internal Revenue Service declares that churches meet the qualifications of but are not required to have 501(C3) status.
The food bank is funded through the shared maintenance fee, donations, fund-raising projects and United Way.
Bay Area will make the first delivery to Atmore on Nov. 19. This site will serve 12 agencies in Escambia County, five in Conecuh and five in Monroe counties.