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FROM STAFF REPORTS

Grace Klein Community, an educational and charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to reducing food insecurity and food waste in the Greater Birmingham area and beyond, announced its partnership with Pathways United Methodist Church in Pelham to expand its current operations.

The community is invited on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, at 4 p.m. for a property reveal, signing of formal partnership agreement, worship, presentation of the way forward, a shared meal and to learn how to contribute, as a business, church, non-profit, school or individual, to the expansion of services at 419 Philippians Blvd, Pelham, AL 35124.

Grace Klein Community primarily operates through volunteers who devote their time to serving the community. Through its FeedBHM initiative and a food rescue app, App.foodrescue.us, they engage food rescue heroes to rescue good food—otherwise en route to landfills—and redirect to provide food support to Alabamians. With six drive-thru locations and 318 community partners, volunteers provided food support to more than 600,000 unique individuals in 2024.

The partnership with Pathways United Methodist Church will provide additional space needed to help Grace Klein Community reach its 2025 goal of rescuing 3.2 million pounds of food to feed more than 650,000 people. In addition to food support, Grace Klein also offers assistance for other basic needs such as diapers, hygiene products and household items as well as school supplies and Christmas support. The additional space will allow expansion with an additional FeedBHM Hub for intake and outflow of food, an In-Kind Coffee House, a Sustainability Kitchen to increase food preservation and field trip opportunities, space to house large out of state serve teams alongside ministry partner Servant Life, and a church facility for Pathways.

Jenny Waltman, founder of Grace Klein Community, is open-handed and expectant for what she believes God will do through the collective assent of ordinary people.

“Over the last 14 years, we have looked forward, running after Jesus and in obedience to His plan for Grace Klein Community,” Waltman said. “Only in looking back at the end of 2024, have we begun to see and understand the radical, extraordinary impact of our collective yes to God. If He can grow us over 34,000 percent in 14 years, we cannot fathom the future or how God can use us to share resources, build relationships and bring restoration to our communities. May He always receive the glory of every good work through Grace Klein Community as we know every good and perfect gift comes from Him.”

Grace Klein Community hopes to complete the common space and additional food rescue hub, related to Phase 1 of renovations, by the end of April 2025.