PELHAM – Vineyard Family Services of Central Alabama, a local non-profit, received a $10,000 grant on Monday, Oct. 22. Publix Super Market Charities endowed the grant for the purpose of supporting the children’s feeding program called BackPack Buddies.

Money was allocated to BackPack Buddies to purchase food staples, hygiene support and family emergency food boxes. The program feeds over 800 public school aged children in Alabaster City, Pelham City and Shelby County school systems. Program Director Stephanie Grissom, who has been with the agency since 2009, heads the program.

Along with many sponsors, the BackPack Buddies Program provides high quality food bags every week, to support public school children who are considered at-risk for food insecurity. They also provide hygiene bags, emergency response food, and holiday break bags.

“Vineyard Family Services is grateful for the continued support of Publix Super Market Charities and their partnership through the last nine years. They are obviously known for their superlative customer service, but equally, they invest heavily in the communities that they serve. We could not ask for a better partner,” Grissom said.

Executive Director Ward Williams founded Vineyard Family Services in 2007. The agency focuses on feeding children in need, promoting responsible fatherhood, and helping families in crisis. For more information on ways to get involved, go to Vfsdads.com.