Special to The Signal

The Family Service Center of Lowndes County will host the sixth annual mobile Food Pantry in partnership with the Montgomery Area Food Bank on Wednesday, April 14, 2009, 9:00-11:30 a.m.

This year, the Center is pleased to offer an additional service at the event, and will host Gretchen Kindrick from the Food Bank to share her expertise on nutrition with local families.

Ms. Kindrick manages the Exercise, Nutrition, and Diet Program (END), which helps families make changes toward healthier lifestyles.

Ms. Kindrick states, “By giving small bites of information, we give people more power…more control…and more dignity.  Not having food, and having to ask for help is more than difficult. By using solid information we have acquired from trusted sources, like the American Diabetes Association, and the American Medical Association, I would like to give food recipients a better understanding of the role food plays in their health.”

This free class will be available to all registered participants and will be offered several times during the actual Food Pantry event, starting at 9:00 AM. Following the nutritional information, registered families can shop for no-cost food items.

The Food Pantry event, held annually by the Family Service Center of Lowndes County, a program division of Family Guidance Center of Alabama, helps promote good nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

In a 2009 study conducted by the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health and Alabama Department of Public Health, Lowndes County was found to have significant health issues including high rates of obesity and diabetes.

Healthy eating and weight management can help individuals manage their health issues, reduce their healthcare costs, and enjoy a longer, healthier life.

Pre-registration for the event is required.  A completed application, proof of income, and a picture ID are required at the time of application.

Applications are available at the Family Service Center from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center is located at 100 Oak Street West -2^nd Floor of the Family Health Clinic in Hayneville, Alabama.

The deadline for registering is Monday, March 29, 2010.  Since there is limited availability, all are encouraged to complete and submit their applications as soon as possible.

For more information about the event or the many services offered through the Center, please contact Gloria Simmons, Program Director 334-548-6307, toll free at 866-2308211, or visit the website at www.familyguidancecenter.org.