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.

Have a class or students that want to participate in Service Learning at Blazer Kitchen? Email servicelearn@uab.edu. 

Please complete and bring the following with you to your first volunteer shift. We ask that all volunteers be 18 years of age or older. Youth volunteers are welcome when accompanied by a supervising adult. 
Volunteer Release Form
Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement

Alpha Gamma Delta volunteers in Blazer Kitchen.

Making a Donation to Blazer Kitchen

In addition to Financial donations, which we put to great use with the purchasing power of the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, we are in need of the following items:

• protein bars
• canned meat
• shelf-stable milk
• shelf-stable, individual-serving, microwavable meals

Since toiletries and household items cannot be purchased with SNAP (formerly food stamps), and are necessary, please consider donating:

• soap
• shampoo
• deodorant
• toothpaste
• toothbrushes
• dental floss
• toilet paper
• paper towels
• napkins
• feminine hygiene products
• laundry detergent
• dishwashing soap
• household cleaners

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

Blazer Kitchen Stats

Statistics for Blazer Kitchen participation as of September 30th, 2018.

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.

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.

For additional information regarding Blazer Kitchen patient outreach, please contact Lisa Higginbotham at lisahig@uab.edu or 205-934-1581.

Blazer Kitchen at Medical Towers
Tara Ransom
AmeriCorp/VISTA - Blazer Kitchen
Email: blazerkitchen@uab.edu
Phone: 205-834-2895

Blazer Kitchen at Hill Student Center
Debbie Morgette
Assistant Director of Student Outreach
Email: morgette@uab.edu
Phone: 205-975-9509

Blazer Kitchen Locations:		Mailing Address:
Medical Towers, Suite 100 1717 11th Ave S. Birmingham, AL 35205	Hill Student Center, Suite 303 1400 University Blvd. Birmingham, AL 35294	AB 330 1720 2nd Ave S Birmingham, AL 35294-0103