FROM STAFF REPORTS 

PELHAM — Vineyard Family Services of Central Alabama, a local non-profit, received a $16,000 grant endowed by the EBSCO Community Impact Committee for supporting BackPack Buddies, a children’s feeding program.

The grant was received on Nov. 26, and money was allocated to BackPack Buddies to primarily purchase food and hygiene support. The program feeds close to 1,000 public school-aged children every week in Alabaster City, Pelham City and Shelby County School Systems. Program Director Stephanie Grissom, who has been with the agency since 2009, heads the project up.

Along with many community 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 so thankful for their partnership with EBSCO Industries. For the last seven years, they have faithfully supported BackPack Buddies, which has enabled us to continue to expand our services to children and families in need. They are very aware of the needs in the community, and the importance of local corporations supporting local non-profit agencies. We are very grateful for their investment again this year,” said Vineyard Family Services Executive Director Ward Williams.

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 you can get involved, visit Vfsdads.com.