Accessing Blazer Kitchen

All UAB Employees and Students must present a valid UAB ONE Card or VIVA Health Employee Badge.

Planning to visit the pantry? Consider downloading and completing forms prior to your visit:

• USDA Eligibility Form (English)
• USDA Eligibility Form (Spanish)

These forms are for food available through USDA; other food will be available for Employees and/or Students who are food insecure but do not meet USDA requirements

The frequency of participation in the Blazer Kitchen is identified on a monthly basis based on need and food availability. Frequency guidelines can change at the discretion of the staff. Blazer Kitchen will be closed on all UAB observed holidays.

In collaboration with Office of Service Learning and Undergraduate Research, The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, Office of the Senior Vice President for Finance & Administration, UAB Medicine, and UAB Student Outreach.

Volunteering with Blazer Kitchen

Sign up to volunteer through BlazerPulse.

Alpha Gamma Delta volunteers in Blazer Kitchen.

Blazer Kitchen Donations Guidelines

Blazer Kitchen always has a preference of toiletries, canned meat, protein bars, and single serve items. Due to our participation in the Healthy Nudges Program we are asking for these items to reduce heath disparities in our shoppers.

Healthy Donations List

Breakfast

• Higher fiber
• Less sugar content

Pasta, starch, and rice

• Whole grain
• Brown rice
• High protein
• Low sodium

Canned fruit

• Less than 12 grams of sugar
• Light juice

Canned proteins

• Canned tuna in water
• Canned chicken
• Low- or no-salt added canned beans less than 200mg of sodium
• Dried beans

Canned vegetables

• Low sodium
• Low sugar
• Healthier choices
• Less than 140mg of sodium and 4g of sugar

Spices and herbs

Toiletries

• Toilet paper
• Pads/panty liners
• Full size shampoo and conditioner
• Full size body wash
• Full size deodorant
• Full size toothpaste
• Toothbrushes

Household items

• All purpose cleaners
• Washing detergent
• Dish detergent
• Disinfectant

Donations can be made after 12:30 PM every Tuesday or by appointment.
Please email us prior to delivering donations at blazerkitchen@uab.edu.

If you are shopping online and would like to ship items directly to Blazer Kitchen, please use the following address:

Blazer Kitchen
AB 330
1720 2nd Ave S
Birmingham, AL
35294-0103

Service Learning Opportunities

If you are interested in partnering with Blazer Kitchen for a service learning designated course, please submit the Service Learning Application Form. Please note that we cannot always accommodate every service learning request every semester due to space limitations, but encourage applications every semester (particularly in spring and summer semesters).

Blazer Kitchen Stats

Patient Outreach

In collaboration with UAB Medicine, Blazer Kitchen will have a measured expansion to support patients in select clinics. Patients are referred to the pantry by medical professionals and onsite social workers who recognize symptoms of food insecurity or when a patient screens positive for food insecurity. Currently, Blazer Kitchen provides food to the following UAB patient groups:

Comprehensive Cancer Center – When available, protein shakes are provided to patient navigators for distribution to patients with cancer.

Cystic Fibrosis Clinic – After screening positive for food insecurity, patients are provided a bag of food to meet their unique dietary needs.

Geriatrics Clinic – After screening positive for food insecurity, seniors are provided bag of food dense with protein since studies show many senior citizens do not receive enough protein. Seniors are also referred to the Benefits Enrollment Center and food pantries within their own communities. In partnership with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama to End Senior Hunger, Blazer Kitchen volunteers assist with packing food bags to increase the amount of food that can be provided.

Heart Failure Clinic – Patients, who screen positive for food insecurity, will receive fresh produce, healthy dry goods, and referrals to benefit programs and food pantries within the patient’s own community. Read more here.

Nurse Family Partnership – Patients, who screen positive for food insecurity, will receive healthy dry goods, and referrals to benefit programs and food pantries within the patient’s own community. Read more here.

PATH Clinic – Patients, who have diabetes and screen positive for food insecurity, will receive fresh produce, healthy dry goods, and referrals to benefit programs and food pantries within the patient’s own community. Read more here.

Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit & Continuing Care Nursery – Serving mothers and family members with children enduring long hospital stays, the pantry is stocked with specific items – like oatmeal; tuna salad; high-protein, shelf stable, microwavable in its container single serve meals; fruits: nuts: and protein bars – to benefit breastfeeding mothers.

Transplant Patients – Following a transplant, patients must stay close to the hospital which can create a financial burden. Patients in need are provided nutritious food during their stay in a nearby hotel.

UAB Psychiatry, TASC Program – Healthy snacks and meals are provided for adolescents in after school substance abuse treatment programs, adults in a joint treatment and job training program, and a treatment program for expectant and new mothers.

Clinic Application Form

For additional information regarding Blazer Kitchen patient outreach, please contact Kaydian Jordan at kaydian@uab.edu or 205-834-2895.