August 2026 News
Love Your Neighbor, Feed Your Neighbor
At Table of Grace, we call the people who shop with us our neighbors. That word matters.
First, it's biblical. Jesus called us to "love your neighbor as yourself." But it's also practical. Neighbors help one another in times of need.
When my family moved to Tuscaloosa in 2000, our next-door neighbor came to our house in tears. Her father had fallen, and she couldn't get him up. My husband and son rushed over, and together they helped him back into his recliner. That's what neighbors do. They show up for each other.
That's also why I bristled when a prominent politician wrongly claimed that "the main people who go to food pantries are young men who need to get a job." I called his office and invited him to volunteer at Table of Grace. He did not.
So instead, I responded with an introduction to some of our neighbors*:
- Miss Reba, who had to leave her job as a fraternity house mother because of health issues.
- Mr. Robert, a Vietnam veteran.
- Mrs. Green, who works the night shift as a housekeeper at UA while raising three teenage grandchildren.
That's what food insecurity looks like, here and across this country. Real people. Real stories. Real needs.
The politician never answered me, but this week I was reminded once again why the word neighbor matters. As she does whenever she can, Mrs. Mary, a regular Table of Grace neighbor, slipped a $20 bill into the hand of her volunteer shopping assistant and whispered, "Give that to the pantry, and don't make a fuss. I'm just trying to do my part."
That's the heart of Table of Grace. Many of our neighbors know the reality of food insecurity firsthand. Even when they have little to spare, they look for ways to help others.
We invite you to do your part too. Whether it's donating, volunteering, hosting a food drive, or simply praying for our neighbors, your support helps ensure that no one has to face hunger alone. After all, that's what neighbors do.
With much Grace,
Natalie Adams
Board of Directors President
*Names changed to protect privacy
Back to School Help!
It's August, and we all know what that means. College students are back! We see thousands of them walking to class, going to games, and experiencing everything UA, Stillman, Shelton State, and Tuscaloosa have to offer them. Yet, there is a population of students we either don't see or can't see — those who suffer from food insecurity.
30–45% of college students are currently experiencing or have experienced food insecurity. Minority and first-generation students are most affected. Food insecurity can lead to impaired physical and mental health, which can then lead to poor academic performance and the possibility of dropping out.
You can help by:
- Donating shelf-stable foods, fresh produce, dairy and deli items, and juice. Drop off donations during Stocking hours (Monday–Friday 9:30–12:00 AM) or Market hours (Tuesday Noon–5:45 PM and Thursday & Friday Noon–1:45 PM).
- Giving a financial gift to help us buy healthy foods. Donate here, or mail a check to: Table of Grace, 201 Hargrove Rd., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.
- Volunteering to shop, sort food, or restock shelves. Sign up here.
- Hosting a canned food drive for Table of Grace! Reach out to us to find out how.
Knowing that everyone faces struggles we might not be able to see — hunger does not discriminate. Every act of care helps our neighbors feel seen, supported, and safe no matter the age or circumstance.
Volunteer Sign Up HEREFaithful Partners Unite in Love and Service
At Table of Grace, we often say it takes a community to feed a community. Our church partners live that out through practical gifts, steady generosity, and hands-on service. Across denominations and traditions, they answer Jesus' call to “love your neighbor” in a tangible way — helping us offer not just groceries, but care, dignity, and hope.
Beulah Baptist Church provides a monthly donation of two dozen gallons of milk. We are always glad to see their van pull up because we know our neighbors will have milk that day. Milk is rarely donated and is not typically available through the West Alabama Food Bank, so this thoughtful ministry fills a real gap on our shelves.
Forest Lake United Methodist Church helps stock our Emergency Food Bags from time to time. These bags are crucial for families referred to us for crisis support, as well as people passing through town who need simple meals to keep going. Each bag includes peanut butter and jelly, fruit cups, and a boxed meal kit with canned protein and a canned vegetable. Forest Lake UMC also supports the pantry through members who volunteer regularly.
And of course, we are deeply grateful for Grace Presbyterian Church, where Table of Grace began as a ministry before growing into the standalone nonprofit we are today. GPC remains central to who we are and what we do — paying our utilities, helping support staff salaries, hosting the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser, and so much more. Simply put, we would not — and could not — exist without GPC.
Partnerships like these help us meet urgent needs, stock hard-to-get items, and serve our neighbors with consistency and compassion.
Want to Become a Regular Pantry Partner?
If your church, civic group, Sunday school class, workplace team, or service organization wants a practical way to serve, we would love to connect. We are especially looking for partners to routinely provide critical pantry items such as fresh fruit, fruit juices, or canned soups. Donations may be brought to the pantry Monday–Friday from 9:30 AM to noon, or during pantry hours.
Help Us Support Our Neighbors in Need
Your gift can feed:
| A veteran for 1 year | $25 |
| An elderly couple for 1 year | $50 |
| A single mother with 2 young children for 1 year | $75 |
| An elderly couple, their disabled adult child, and their grandchild for 1 year | $100 |
| A grandmother raising 4 of her grandchildren for 1 year | $125 |
| A family of 6 who can't make ends meet despite working multiple jobs, for 1 year | $150 |
In the Spotlight: Jacalyn "Ms. Jackie" White
This month's spotlight is on one of our cherished volunteers, Jacalyn "Ms. Jackie" White. When asked what makes her so vital to Table of Grace and our community, a volunteer described Ms. Jackie as "dependable and funny, which is a powerful combo." That perfectly defines Jackie at Table of Grace.
She brings a bright, cheerful energy that energizes the entire pantry. She's quick to greet everyone with a hello and a joke that can make anyone smile. Not only do the other volunteers hold Ms. Jackie in high regard, but the staff is also equally impressed.
"She is friendly and very welcoming to the neighbors. She is always early, helping to stock shelves while shopping with the neighbors. She's constantly busy lending a hand. She's always in a good mood, with an infectious laugh. Everyone wants to be around her, and she has loyal neighbors who prefer shopping with her," said one staff member about Ms. Jackie.
Ms. Jackie has taken on many roles during her time volunteering with Table of Grace and continues to demonstrate love and dedication to our neighbors and the pantry. We are incredibly fortunate to count her among our volunteers.
Thanks for being a part of making a big difference in our community!
It has been my sincere pleasure and honor to serve as Executive Director, and it's with mixed emotions that I share my family is relocating to West Texas. I am stepping down as ED at the end of the month.
Pending Board approval on August 30, Pantry Manager Becky Knockemus will step into the role of Interim Director. Becky has been a familiar and trusted part of Table of Grace, bringing a heart for our mission and a genuine commitment to the people we serve. I am confident Becky's leadership, experience, and dedication will keep Table of Grace on a steady path.
Consequently, Inventory Coordinator Savannah Logan will move into the position of Interim Pantry Manager. Inventory coordination will be covered by volunteer staff until further decisions are made.
The Table of Grace community has given me opportunities, friendships, experiences, and memories that I know will stay with me. I am certain with the strong Board and staff, passionate volunteers, and generous supporters, Table of Grace is well-positioned for a successful next chapter of serving our neighbors while promoting community and working to end food insecurity in Tuscaloosa.
Reach out if you have any questions.
Steven Thomas
Table of Grace Executive Director
Pantry Hours
Tuesday 2–6
Thursday 12–3
Friday 12–3
Location
201 Hargrove Road,
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Contact
info@togpantry.org
(205) 469-7811
Table of Grace July NewsletterMeeting the Moment: A Note from Our Executive DirectorEvery month at Table of Grace brings both real challenges and reasons to be hopeful. This July, keeping our shelves stocked has been one of our biggest challenges. Neighbors enrolled in our program are eligible for one visit each month, and more are coming at their earliest opportunity. As a result, the first two weeks of the month are now our busiest. Over the past few months, we have been making small changes to help busy days feel more fair and less stressful. One example is our lottery system for shopping times—an idea that came from one of our neighbors. As we have lived with the system, it has helped reduce the pressure to line up hours before we open, which is especially important during the heat of summer. We are also listening closely as we look for ways to make the market experience work better for everyone. Right now, we are surveying neighbors about a small adjustment to our open hours, with the hope that it will make scheduling easier for shoppers, volunteers, and staff alike. We look forward to sharing what we learn and announcing the results soon. At the same time, some of our usual food sources are more limited, which makes stocking the shelves even harder. The West Alabama Food Bank has had less stock available for our purchase, in part because fewer WAFB drivers have been available to make pickups from gleaning programs with large chain grocers. We are also seeing fewer choices through our usual USDA ordering channel, making it harder to offer the variety our market-style pantry is built around. Still, there is so much hope in what we see each week: neighbors helping neighbors, volunteers showing up with generous hearts, and supporters finding simple but meaningful ways to keep food moving through our pantry. People have already responded to our call for extra garden produce, and we have received lots of tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash. Please keep it coming! Together, we are keeping food on the shelves and hope within reach for the 800+ households we regularly serve each month—one gift, one volunteer shift, one bag of produce, and one generous act at a time. With Much Grace, Help Our Neighbors Beat the Heat!These long summer days can be hard on our neighbors, especially those who may not have enough food, water, or a cool place to rest. In this heat wave, a few basics can make a big difference:
You can help by:
Every act of care helps our neighbors feel seen, supported, and safe during this difficult season! 
PARTNER HIGHLIGHTWhether an individual or a whole group visits the pantry as a shopper assistant, the team at The Alabama Credit Union consistently goes above and beyond for the Table of Grace. Last month, they organized a food drive at their local branches, donating an impressive 767.7 lbs of canned goods and other essential items to support neighbors in need. ACU has shown unwavering commitment and will continue to stand with the Table of Grace, and we are profoundly thankful. 
HELP US SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEEDYour gift can feed:
In the Spotlight: Pat Dunbar and Annabel Stephens
Today, Table of Grace has grown into a market-style pantry that regularly serves 700–900 households each month—but our story began decades ago with Pat Dunbar and Annabel Stephens, who saw neighbors struggling and chose to respond with compassion, dignity, and care. In 1996, Pat, Kay Ellis, and Lena Prewitt recognized a growing need in the Tuscaloosa community and, with the support of what was then University Presbyterian Church and its congregation, helped launch a food assistance ministry. What began in a single cabinet soon expanded to a closet as more neighbors turned to the program for help. The ministry partnered with the West Alabama Food Bank and steadily grew to meet more needs in the community. As the ministry expanded, it moved to the Covenant campus and into a classroom, where it became known as Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry. Later, following the merger that created Grace Presbyterian Church, the pantry continued its mission of serving neighbors with dignity and compassion. Through every chapter, Pat and Annabel remained closely connected to the work and to the people it served, helping ensure that every person who came through the doors was treated with respect and care. In October 2023, Table of Grace was born with the opening of our market-style pantry. Almost overnight, the number of families we served doubled. Over the next two years, that momentum continued as new partnerships, programs, and volunteers joined the mission. The growth was so significant that Table of Grace became an independent 501(c)(3), creating new opportunities to serve even more neighbors in need. The compassion Pat and Annabel showed from the very beginning is still evident today. Whether they're bringing a neighbor to receive food, connecting people with helpful resources, making financial contributions, or donating countless pounds of food, they continue to care for our community in meaningful ways. Their legacy is more than a history of service; it's one of faithful kindness — one neighbor, one meal, and one act of love at a time. Pat and Annabel, you mean the world to us! |