620 Valley St.
Montevallo, AL 35115
(205) 665-1942
shelbyea@birch.net
SEA is primarily affiliated with United Way of Central Alabama, and its services are provided by professional social workers and educators who are trained to evaluate crisis situations (such as natural disasters, job loss, or extreme economic strain) and determine firstly what needs stem from these situations and, secondly, how to meet them. SEA also relies heavily on volunteers within the community.
To qualify for SEA assistance, you must be a Shelby County resident who has recently experienced a crisis, resulting in the loss of your financial independence: maybe you've lost your job, or your house, or you can't afford to buy food. SEA strives to help Shelby County residents undergoing crisis-induced loss to meet their basic needs. "Basic needs" are those things we need to survive; they range from food, water, and power to medical and dental care. After providing the initial assistance, SEA attempts to connect those in need with ongoing assistance programs until they become financially stable again.
Food assistance is the primary emergency need; hunger issues are very real in the United States today, and hunger in Alabama is the highest in the nation. Many deal with "food insecurity," or the fear that the food they are able to buy will not last long enough. Food insecurity causes individuals to cut the size of their meals, to skip meals all together, or to go hungry. Oftentimes, families with low food security are forced to settle for cheap, processed, unhealthy foods because they cannot afford balanced meals. SEA strives to teach the importance of balanced, healthy meals, and provides such meals through their food pantry. The food pantry is possible through the food and monetary donations of the community.
Karen Pendleton, the Executive Director of SEA, assures us that food insecurity exists right in our backyard: Wilton, an area just minutes from Montevallo, is the most poverty-stricken area in the entire county. Every day families must choose between buying food and paying for rent, power, water, and other basic needs to live. SEA is on a mission to help these crisis-stricken families become self-sufficient again, and through our awareness and willingness to volunteer and donate, we can help them.
To qualify for SEA assistance, you must be a Shelby County resident who has recently experienced a crisis, resulting in the loss of your financial independence: maybe you've lost your job, or your house, or you can't afford to buy food. SEA strives to help Shelby County residents undergoing crisis-induced loss to meet their basic needs. "Basic needs" are those things we need to survive; they range from food, water, and power to medical and dental care. After providing the initial assistance, SEA attempts to connect those in need with ongoing assistance programs until they become financially stable again.
Food assistance is the primary emergency need; hunger issues are very real in the United States today, and hunger in Alabama is the highest in the nation. Many deal with "food insecurity," or the fear that the food they are able to buy will not last long enough. Food insecurity causes individuals to cut the size of their meals, to skip meals all together, or to go hungry. Oftentimes, families with low food security are forced to settle for cheap, processed, unhealthy foods because they cannot afford balanced meals. SEA strives to teach the importance of balanced, healthy meals, and provides such meals through their food pantry. The food pantry is possible through the food and monetary donations of the community.
Karen Pendleton, the Executive Director of SEA, assures us that food insecurity exists right in our backyard: Wilton, an area just minutes from Montevallo, is the most poverty-stricken area in the entire county. Every day families must choose between buying food and paying for rent, power, water, and other basic needs to live. SEA is on a mission to help these crisis-stricken families become self-sufficient again, and through our awareness and willingness to volunteer and donate, we can help them.
Elizabeth
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