The 256 Student Food Ministry was started by a small group class at Parkview Baptist Church with a simple mission: help local children have access to food during school breaks when school meals are unavailable.
Today, the ministry serves more than 200 children across Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, and Lawrence counties during Spring Break, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Working alongside local school counselors, nutritious food bags are distributed to students and families who need them most, providing practical support during times when grocery budgets can be stretched the furthest.

Each food bag is filled with a variety of shelf-stable foods designed to help sustain a child throughout the school break. During the Christmas season, families also receive a ham or turkey to help make holiday meals possible.

What began as the vision of one small group has grown into a community effort supported by Parkview Baptist Church, 256 Thrift Center, local businesses, and generous individuals who share a desire to care for children and strengthen families throughout Northwest Alabama.

As the need continues to grow, so does our vision. We are actively working to expand our reach, serve additional schools, and provide food to even more children. Every donation helps us move one step closer to reaching the next child.

100% of donations designated to the Student Food Ministry go directly toward providing food for local children and families.

Together, we are helping ensure school breaks mean family time, not food uncertainty.