Demand at Alabama A&M University’s Bulldog Market keeps climbing.
Monica Clarke, the market’s director, said the campus resource is seeing more than 250 students a day. Last week brought the biggest single day yet — more than 300 students came through.
“We had our largest day last week. We had over 300 students show up in one day, so it is definitely a need, and we are always seeking help so that we can provide for our students,” Clarke said.
A year ago the market was already serving more than 200 students daily. The jump tracks with continued growth in enrollment on The Hill and the ongoing need for free groceries, personal care items, laundry supplies, school supplies and clothing.
Students can stop by Room 103 of the McCalep and McIntosh Building from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and take three free items each day. Clarke said the items that move fastest are the ones easiest to use in residence halls — microwavable meals, breakfast sandwiches, snacks, bottled water, deodorant, body wash and laundry detergent.
The market highlighted its work during a recent open house for students, faculty and staff. The event also introduced a new partnership with Food City aimed at generating more support.
Through Food City’s School Bucks Challenge, shoppers can link a free ValuCard to Alabama A&M. For every qualifying dollar spent with the card, the university earns one School Buck point. Those points help determine AAMU’s share of the $800,000 Food City is making available to participating schools through the 2026-27 program, which runs through April 30, 2027.
Porsha Nettles-Johnson, a Food City human relations coordinator and two-time AAMU graduate, helped bring the partnership to her alma mater.
“This partnership gives the AAMU family an easy way to support the Bulldog Market through something they are already doing — shopping for groceries,” Nettles-Johnson said. “By linking a Food City ValuCard to Alabama A&M, every qualifying purchase can help the University earn support for students who need it.”
Food City also donates food, beverages and other necessities and hosts campus pop-up events.
The need is not unique to Alabama A&M. New data from education technology company Ellucian shows 75% of students at historically Black colleges and universities reported having to choose between paying for college and meeting basic needs, compared with 58% of college students overall. The same 2026 Student Voice Report found 71% of HBCU students surveyed work full time, versus 56% of college students overall.
Other local partners are helping keep shelves stocked. Madison County District 6 Commissioner Violet Edwards’ office delivers bread twice a week and supports a Stuff the Bus drive for Homecoming. Through the university’s partnership with the Madison County Commission, the People’s Patch community farm supplies fresh produce.
Clarke said the market continues to welcome donations from individuals, university departments, alumni, organizations, businesses and community partners. Supporters can also give online.
The Bulldog Market opened in 2021 to address food insecurity and other basic needs among students. As more students walk through the door each day, the Food City partnership and ongoing community support are helping the market keep pace.
Zachary Austin is a writer for 256 Today. You can contact him at [email protected].
Got a tip for OTR? Send your tip to [email protected] with related photo/video, your name, phone number, and e-mail address.
