To: Mobile County Board of Education
From: Concerned citizens of Mobile County, Alabama

Subject: Creation of a “Sponsor a Family” Program to Support Local Students and Families During the Government Shutdown

Background

Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, many Alabama families have lost access to essential benefits like EBT and SNAP, leaving them struggling to provide food for their children. For many of these families, school breakfasts and lunches are the most consistent meals their children receive.

Our Mobile County community has always stepped up in times of crisis, and this moment calls for unity, compassion, and action. We believe the school system can be a powerful bridge between families in need and those with the means to help.

Our Proposal

We, the undersigned residents of Mobile County, respectfully petition the Mobile County Board of Education to organize and facilitate a “Sponsor a Family” Program that will:

• Create a secure, confidential sign-up system (either online or through each school) where families affected by EBT disruptions can request grocery sponsorship or food assistance.

• Allow willing families, community members, and local businesses to sponsor these families directly by donating grocery gift cards, contributing to school food pantries, or providing meal boxes.

• Ensure transparency and dignity, so that families in need are supported privately and respectfully through school counselors, social workers, or designated staff.

• Partner with local organizations and faith-based groups to maximize outreach and coordination, ensuring no family is overlooked.

• Keep this program active beyond the shutdown, establishing an ongoing network of community care for families facing future hardship.

Why It Matters

When families lose access to food assistance, it directly affects student wellbeing, concentration, and school attendance. A hungry child cannot learn. This initiative not only supports the basic human need for food but also strengthens the bond between schools and the communities they serve.

Our Call to Action

We urge the Mobile County Board of Education to consider and approve the establishment of the “Sponsor a Family” initiative. By leveraging the trust and structure already in place through our schools, we can quickly and efficiently help families weather this difficult time.

Together, we can make sure no child in Mobile County goes hungry.

Signed,

Concerned Parents, Guardians, Educators, and Community Members of Mobile County

#SponsorAFamily ##communitycare #NoChildHungry