Huntsville councilman pushing for funding for Food Bank of North Alabama

HUNTSVILLE — When the Huntsville City Council meets today for its work session, Councilman John Meredith said he will have just one recommendation for the city’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget: funding for Food Bank of North Alabama.

“In a perfect world, I would like funds to go toward Food Bank of North Alabama, sidewalks, a pocket park, and Landscape Management,” Meredith said in a news release. “But given the statements made by my colleague, Council Member Jennie Robinson, and the mayor at the previous budget work session about the City’s finances, I will be focusing on pushing for funding for the Food Bank of North Alabama.

“Many people in our community rely on the hunger relief programs the Food Bank of North Alabama provides, and I believe we must offer our support in any way we can.” 

In the budget work session two weeks ago, Meredith recommended sidewalk projects, particularly on Balch Road and Old Railroad Bed Road; a pocket park north of U.S. 72 between Jeff Road and Old Railroad Bed Road; street resurfacing; funds to maintain overgrown grass and weeds at the lower end of Zierdt Road; and funds for the food bank.

“While all these things are important for increasing the quality of life in Huntsville, I see a great need for services supporting unsheltered and low-income individuals,” he said. “And given the limited excess funds in next year’s fiscal budget, I want to focus attention on areas with the most need.”  

The work session is 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers in City Hall. Public comments will not be heard during the work session. It can be viewed on HSV-TV (Comcast 1088/16 or WOW 42) and HuntsvilleAL.gov/HSVTV.