SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The 5th annual, award-winning Stuff the Studio Food & Toy Drive has officially come to a close. The annual drive benefits Alabama Childhood Food Solutions (AFCS) which distributes the food and the Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement (SAFE) which distributes the toys.
This year, due to logistical issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the original “Stuff the Bus” campaign took on a different look. Instead of stuffing a school bus at a location parked in town, the team at RadioAlabama encouraged donors to “Stuff the Studio” at the company’s new building in downtown Sylacauga.
“To be honest, we were a little apprehensive as to how it would turn out this year with all that has been going on in the world” said Michael Brannon, RadioAlabama Executive Vice President. “We tried to attract more attention this year by creating a big window display with lights and signage. Just a few days in though, we were quite overwhelmed at the generous support from the community. The food and toys just kept coming. Donations of $10 up to $1,000 in both cash and product was given to the Drive and we could not be more thrilled at the outcome. It is such an incredible blessing to see so many people donate to two amazing causes making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate. We are happy to play a small role in making that happen year after year.”
“We are both humbled and overwhelmed at the generosity of our community,” said Margaret Morton, Executive Director of SAFE. During a time of challenge and insecurity, so many people have reached out from their need and deep into their hearts to give. And give they have through the Stuff the Studio Food and Toy drive. Children from across Talladega County are the recipients of that generosity and giving. On Christmas morning, hundreds of children will know that St. Nick did not forget. Thank you to RadioAlabama’s MIX 106.5, KiX 100.3, and SylacaugaNews.com and sponsors Heritage South Credit Union, Affordable Heating & Air, Coosa Valley MRI, Chick-Fil-A for being St. Nick – you are the heroes. You are the Spirit of Christmas. Clearly, those who have unselfishly given understand that “It is more blessed to give than receive,” – Acts 20:35. It is with gratitude and the sincerest appreciation that we at SAFE offer prayers of thanksgiving for every gift, every word of encouragement and every contribution. You are Christmas!”
Two-hundred and twenty five in 95 families were served through “Gift Giving from the Heart.” SAFE received two-and-a-half buses of donations and served four times as many as in years past.
“It looks like Stuff the Studio raised nearly a ton of food,” said Alabama Childhood Food Solutions Founder, Jim Jones. “The food that we are getting from this food drive will be used primarily in Talladega County. There are over 1,300 families that need food and we are serving about 800 of those families in the next few days. We are excited that on a daily basis, God provides for us. We distribute two days a week, so 200 families a week get food.”
The RadioAlabama team wants to thank everyone who contributed to the 2020 Stuff the Studio Food & Toy Drive. Your generosity has impacted so many in the surrounding communities.
The 5th Annual Stuff the Studio Food & Toy Drive was presented by RadioAlabama’s MIX 106.5, KiX 100.3, and SylacaugaNews.com. RadioAlabama thanks its sponsors: Heritage South Credit Union, Affordable Heating & Air, Coosa Valley MRI, Chick-Fil-A.
