Dear Editor:

The 5th Annual “Stock the Shelves” fundraiser for the Christian Outreach Alliance Food Pantry was a big success! 

  Once again the citizens of Selma and Dallas County opened their hearts and showed their compassion with donations of food items and money. 

  Almost two tons of food and over $2,000 in monetary donations were received.

  The Selma Times-Journal’s article created interest from many people.

  Randy Williams of WHBB’s Viewpoint gave numerous announcements and helped generate interest. 

  Beta Club officers and their sponsor from Dallas County High School shared their time and energies with us. 

  Jeff Harrison of the Selma Area Food Bank volunteered for several hours.

  Morgan Academy’s Student Government Association and their two sponsors unloaded over 3,500 of canned goods they collected and International Paper sent four volunteers.          

  Joyce Rylee of Joyce’s Catering provided a delicious lunch for those volunteering during the lunch shift.   

  I am sure there were others who aided our organization and helped to make the day successful, not to mention all of our volunteers who worked from daylight to sundown to give a personal thank you for each donation. 

  The real heroes of the day were all the donors.  Southside High School, Dallas County High School and Morgan Academy held canned food drives. 

  Several other schools and school clubs are still running their canned food drives which will culminate in November. 

  First Cahawba Bank, Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, the local AARP Chapter No. 3352, two local REALTORS, The National Council of Negro Women of Selma-Dallas County, and other organizations, churches, and individuals all cared about our cause and gave. 

  One of our volunteers made the statement that it did not matter how small or how large the donation was, it was more than what we had, and that is very true.

  Words are woefully inadequate to sufficiently say thank you but, because of the generosity of so many, we will have an easier time this holiday season. 

  In December we will celebrate our 23rd anniversary of helping feed Selma and Dallas County. 

  Please keep our organization in your prayers and continue to support us.

William H. Trippe

Board Chairman

Selma