Sunny Bites Summer Food Program Brings Joy and Nutrition to Families

When school doors closed for summer break, Alabama Childhood Food Solutions made sure that nutritious food continued to reach the children and families who need it most. Our Sunny Bites Summer Food Program was born and ran from June through August in partnership with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama  The program became a lifeline for families navigating the summer months without school meal programs. Over the course of the summer, we distributed an incredible 22,735 pounds of fresh produce and nutritious foods, serving 368 families throughout our community.

The variety of foods provided through Sunny Bites brought smiles to faces both young and old. Fresh apples, bananas, and clementines gave families access to healthy produce, while protein sources like ground beef and chicken drumsticks helped create complete, nourishing meals. The program also included snack pack boxes and special summer feeding boxes filled with non-perishable items. But perhaps the biggest hits were the simplest – children's eyes would light up when they saw the beautiful fresh bananas, with several kids sharing that they rarely get to have bananas at home. The Scooby-Doo graham cracker snacks were an absolute favorite, bringing pure joy to the kids who eagerly looked forward to these special treats each week.

The impact of Sunny Bites extends far beyond the pounds of food distributed – it represents hope and relief for families facing difficult circumstances. One afternoon, a young mother arrived at our warehouse just after closing time with her children in tow. She had left work early despite her supervisor's displeasure and rushed to pick up her kids before making it to us, tears of relief streaming down her face when we were able to serve her family. Her story reminds us why this work matters so much – for many families, programs like Sunny Bites aren't just helpful, they're essential. Thanks to our partnership with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama and the dedication of our volunteers, we were able to ensure that summer didn't mean hunger for the children and families in our community.