As the holiday season approaches, the Selma Area Food Bank is encouraging the community to donate to the thousands in four Black Belt counties who can’t afford to put food on their table this Thanksgiving holiday.

The Selma Area Food Bank supplies food to 47 partner agencies that serve low-income families in Dallas, Perry, Wilcox and Marengo counties.

While the non-profit organization doesn’t have anything special planned for Thanksgiving, the facility is asking people to consider those who can’t afford to put food on their table this holiday season and donate.

Selma Area Food Bank Director J.D. Parks said they tend to get more donations around the holidays. He said all money donations are used to feed the hungry in the Black Belt community.

“People who give money to us should know that 100 percent of the donations goes to buy food. None of it is pay salary,” Parks said. “We have some grants to cover overhead costs.”

A dollar goes a long way at the Selma Area Food Bank. Just $1 supplies 14 meals, $11 provides 154 meals and $22 provides 308 meals for residents living below the poverty line. The Food Bank recently sent out a letter to homes throughout the area, appealing for donations.

One and five in the community go hungry, according to the Selma Area Food Bank. In Alabama, 19.2 percent are food insecure, according to Feeding America.

Those planning to give food items must consider the rules for donating food. He said they do not accept commercially packaged food or frozen food in an effort to follow government guidelines.

“It’s best to donate nonperishable things,” Park said.

Parks said they always appreciate more donations, but have a preference. Selma Area Food Bank purchases items wholesalers and their affiliates at the Montgomery Area Food Bank at a much lower rate. For that reason, it’s more effective to give money rather than food.

“We used to have small agencies, but now we have larger agencies,” Parks said. “Food goes quick.”

Director of Bosco Food Kitchen Mary Gayle purchases food from the Selma Area Food Bank for Edmundite Missions, one of the many agencies who give food to the hungry in Selma.

“It’s a great place to shop,” Gayle said.