Volunteers Help Over 700 Families in West Point and LaFayette

Community groups team up to distribute fresh food and meals across the Georgia-Alabama border region.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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With just an hour's notice, volunteers from Valley Community Outreach and other local organizations came together to help distribute 2,500 meals and fresh food to 713 families in need across West Point, LaFayette, Lanett, and the surrounding areas. The groups are planning additional food giveaways in the coming weeks to continue supporting the community.

Why it matters

The rapid mobilization of volunteers from both sides of the Georgia-Alabama border demonstrates the strong community spirit and willingness to help those in need in the region. Food insecurity remains a persistent challenge, and these distribution events provide critical support to hundreds of local families.

The details

Valley Community Outreach, a coalition of members from Lanett, West Point, Valley, and LaFayette, organized the distribution event with help from numerous volunteers. Individuals who stepped up to assist included Olivia Alford, Caroline Alford, Reina Reece, Dwayne 'Big G' Goss, Officer Sandra Crim, West Point Councilwoman Sandra Thornton, Lanett Councilwoman Kristina 'Krisse' Story, Rita Hicks-Pollard Lee, Tracy Hitower, Sherry Potts, Dave Shirley, New Life Ministries Pastor Teresa Reece, Sheila Omokaro, Ranger Nakia Winston, Angie Alford, Miracle Winston and Travis Harget. The food was provided by the Food Bank of East Alabama, while additional supplies came from community partners Kimble's Corrections, Walmart, Amazon and Kia.

  • The distribution event took place on Thursday.
  • Another food distribution is planned for Friday, March 13 at the Tree of Life headquarters in West Point.
  • A third distribution is scheduled for Saturday, March 28 at LaFayette High School, organized by the City of LaFayette and PHYRE.

The players

Valley Community Outreach

A coalition of members from Lanett, West Point, Valley, and LaFayette who work together to help those in need in the region.

Food Bank of East Alabama

The organization that provided the fresh food and meals distributed during the event.

Kimble's Corrections, Walmart, Amazon, Kia

Community partners that supplied additional supplies for the distribution.

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What they’re saying

“We humbly thank each of you.”

— Gilder (The Valley Times-News)

“It is absolutely amazing to experience such vast and extensive communication in such a limited window. To me, it is a testament of the immeasurable support and community unity across our four cities and the surrounding areas. When [Food Bank of East Alabama] extends the opportunity, it really helps to know the support is there.”

— Gilder (The Valley Times-News)

What’s next

The Valley Community Outreach will be teaming up with the Tree of Life for a community distribution of food and other household supplies at their headquarters (1239 OG Skinner Dr., West Point) on Friday, March 13, starting at 10 a.m. Then they will team up again for a free food distribution with the City of LaFayette and PHYRE at LaFayette High School (2141 1st Ave. SE) on Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. CT/11 a.m. to noon ET.

The takeaway

The rapid mobilization of volunteers from across the Georgia-Alabama border region to support hundreds of local families in need demonstrates the power of community collaboration and the commitment to addressing food insecurity in the area.