The need food banks fill in a community is present throughout the year.

The Selma Area Food Bank, located at 497 Oak St., needs assistance this summer to continue to provide healthy food to those in need.

The food bank is asking for both non-perishable food and monterary donations. The money can be used to buy heathier options.

“For every dollar donated we can purchase 20 lbs of food,” executive director J.D. Parks said. “So money goes a lot further than actual donations of non-perishable products, but we’d certainly love to have any non-perishable products that anybody wants to donate to us. We’re always in need of nutritious food.”

The food bank serves about 14,000 people a month in Dallas, Marengo, Perry and Wilcox counties. It does so by partnering with more than 40 agencies in those counties.

People often think of food banks during the holidays and Christmastime, but the need for food is there 365 days a year.

“We don’t do it seasonally,” Parks said. “Our goal is to use all of the money people donate to purchase food.”

In fact, a large need is present during the summer when some children are out of school with little or no food at home, said Selma Area Food Bank office manager Lynn Henderson.

“There are so many [children] that depend on the school lunches that day because they don’t have it at home,” she said. “When school is out they have no means of food products. Right now, we need even more.”

To donate food or money, call 872-4111 or stop by the Selma Area Food Bank. Office hours for the food bank are Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m.- 3 p.m.

For more information visit, www.selmafoodbank.com.