By Emily Enfinger | The Selma Times-Journal

Bama Budweiser has donated the building that houses The Selma Area Food Bank to the nonprofit. The food bank had been renting the space, located on 497 Oak Street, from Bama Budweiser for more than 20 years. Executive director Jeff Harrison said the idea of donating the building was considered because it needs a new roof.

“They decided the best thing for them to do was to donate the building to us. Which works out good for both of us,” Harrison said.

Bama Budweiser decided to donate the building to the food bank rather than making repairs and raising the rent.

“They’re very community minded,” Harrison said.

Having the building’s deed will allow the food bank to make updates and other repairs in addition to the new roof. Other l

long-term goals include updating lighting and electrical fixtures as well as adding storage.

“When you rent a house or an apartment, it’s not yours; you’re not as apt to make improvements and that type of thing. Here, it allows us to make improvements, it allows us to expand,” Harrison said.

Because the leaky roof, the food bank had only been able to use about 60 percent of the warehouse space.

“We were looking for an opportunity to expand, but we knew we couldn’t here,” he said. “But now we can since we’ll have the additional room once the roof is put in place.”

The Selma Area Food Bank works to make sure no man, woman or child goes hungry and partners with more than 40 organizations in Dallas, Perry, Wilcox and Marengo County. For more information about the food bank, call (334) 872-4111.