Tuscaloosa City Schools Expand Food Support With New Pantry

The Tuscaloosa city school system recently announced a new resource for West Alabama students.

Knowing food and security is a major issue for many families in West Alabama Tuscaloosa city school system announced via press release.

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the launch of a new snack pantry to support students within the school system.  The pantry is made possible through a partnership with the nonprofit rooted, and fresh value Grocery stores.

The snack pantry will be located at the new Heights community resource center, and it said to be stock weekly with items that will be donated from fresh value customers The press release stay as those items will include crackers, rice, canned goods, juice, boxes, and other shelf stable food

“We’re excited to be able to provide food for our families and snacks for hungry kids,” said Kalissa Bormann, director of New Heights in the press release. “Feeding families is obviously a huge resource—and we’re thankful to Rooted and Fresh Value for helping us expand what we offer.”

The pantry supplements the existing food pantry at New Heights, which is primarily supplied by the West Alabama Food Bank.

Students can self-identify their need or may be referred by teachers, counselors or school social workers. Food bags are prepared by New Heights staff and distributed directly to students, families or schools. In many cases, carloads of items are delivered to individual schools for on-site distribution.

“Sometimes a student will say, ‘My parents work at night, and I just need something easy I can make on my own,’” Bormann said. “That’s what this snack pantry is here for.”

Rooted, is a nonprofit that connects families to mental health and therapeutic services, immediately saw the opportunity to partner with TCS.

“We can’t expect positive outcomes for children when they’re hungry,” said Rooted founder Liz Kindred in the press release. “Food security is foundational. This partnership allows us to meet immediate needs while supporting broader mental and emotional wellness.”

Kindred, a TCS parent, said Rooted collects donated goods from bins at Fresh Value each week and delivers them to New Heights. The organization is also seeking community partners to help sustain and expand the initiative.

“We’d love to work with churches, civic groups or businesses who want to host snack drives,” she said. “Even adding more nutrient-dense items would be a huge help.”

The pantry operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is managed by New Heights staff in collaboration with school-based social workers.

“We’re grateful for this partnership,” said Tesney Davis, TCS social work coordinator. “It’s helping us fill in the gaps and make sure students go to school with full bellies—and ready to learn.”

To partner with Rooted, visit www.rootedtuscaloosa.com or connect via their social media channels. For more information on the New Heights Community Resource Center, contact Kalissa Bormann at 205-759-3549.