Last week , The Selma Housing Authority debuted their food truck's first-ever event catered to first responders. |Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce By Faith Callens Special to the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Information On Thursday, The Selma Housing Authority had their first-ever food truck initiative event catered to first responders. Members of the Selma Police Department, Selma Fire Department, including the city’s paramedics and EMT professionals were all invited to the event and provided complimentary meals from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bloch Park. There were also nurses in the community who attended the event and SHA’s Chief Operating Officer Cicely Curtis said the idea behind the food truck appreciation meal day stemmed from its CEO Kennard Randolph. “Our President and CEO, Mr. Randolph stresses that this is the people’s truck and our motto behind this truck is “Serving Up Hope and Hot Meals,” Curtis said. “So, not only are we going to sell food from the food truck, but we are also going to appreciate people in the community like our first responders. We are going to soon have some appreciation events catered to our educators and various other service providers that we have in our community, and we will also utilize the food truck to give back.” Curtis said the food truck will give SHA residents the opportunity to learn culinary skills through classes provided by their own chef, Mrs. Erial Hunter while the organization remains true their mission of serving nutritious meals throughout their developments and to the families of their community. “So, what better way than to appreciate our first responders for the sacrifice that they make every single day for all of us?” Curtis said. “It was a joy for us to be able to give back to them, let them take a break from the long hours that they work and for them to just come out and sit down and enjoy a delicious meal.” Curtis said the meal of choice for the first responders consisted of polish sausages, teriyaki wings, french fries, fried fish, catfish including their specialty, The Big Al Burger that consisted of several different toppings. Curtis said the main topping that is on the burger is fried green tomatoes. Curtis said she wants all the participants of Thursday’s event to first take away that they are not just serving hot meals, but that they are serving hope. “We are here for the people to feed the people,” Curtis said. “Yes, we will have a menu with prices, but you will also see us out in the community serving needs. We are service providers, and we try to fill the needs of the people.” Curtis said she also wants people who attended the event to also take away the experience that they had and to know that whenever SHA has an event, there will be music and great food. “At this event, we had DJ Barack on the ones and twos, because music soothes people’s souls and it brings people together,” Curtis said. “It’s a vibe you can enjoy, and we also want people to know that this is a way to fellowship. It’s a way to show that we are appreciative for our first responders and for everything that they do for us.” During the event, Curtis said they received such great feedback about the meal, and she said she was just excited to be able to hear great things for their first event and to bring the SHA’s vision to life. Speaking of vision, Curtis also mentioned the food truck’s slogan is not only a motto for SHA but a visionary piece from a special resident of Selma. Curtis said 15-year-old Alysia Langdon was the resident who thought of the food truck’s unique slogan and was named the official winner of their slogan contest that was put out on the organization's Facebook page for all residents of the Selma community to participate in. “I came with “Serving Up Hope and Hot Meals” because it’s not just about food,” Langdon said. “It’s about each day being a new opportunity and about making people feel cared for. The hope is just as important as the meal, and everyone loves a good, hot meal.” Curtis said when the SHA team looked through the slogans after the closing of the contest, she said the slogan that Langdon made was the one that stood out to the team the most. “When we looked through those slogans, that was the one that really stuck out to us. So, on Thursday, I think what we saw was evidence of that slogan,” Curtis said. “This event was true to that slogan, “Serving Up Hope and Hot Meals”. We saw police officers, firemen, and EMT workers eating, smiling and the firemen were throwing the ball back and forth. It was then you saw hope, people who work hard but they got a chance to take a break, pause, breathe and fellowship together. Curtis said soon SHA’s new food truck initiative will expand to other locations downtown such as MK 87 on Broad Street on first Fridays and that starting next month, they will officially roll out their menu with prices.

Members of Blackbelt Benefit Group and The Selma Lions Club awarded CEO and Executive Director Miah Tolbert of the Dallas County Court Services Rise and Recover organization a $5,000 check. | Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce By Faith Callens Special to the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Information On Monday, The Blackbelt Benefit Group presented a $5,000 check to the Dallas County Court Services Rise and Recover Selma organization from its June 7th Rockin' Riboff and Rick Carter Songwriter Festival. Ex-officio member and Co-founder Clay Carmichael of BBG said the organization was deserving of the proceeds from the event due to their consistent effort to serve over 200 citizens a month with recovery needs pertaining to drug and alcohol abuse. “I just appreciate the DCCS Rise and Recover Selma organization for everything that they do for the community,” Carmichael said. “Miah Tolbert has done a great job over there and just before the check presentation she told all in attendance, that they have been at this for 15 years.” Carmichael said the organization has continued to grow and over time, has won national accolades and that he strongly believes the Rise and Recover program is a very good organization that they should be proud to have in Selma. “We want to do more for them, said The Blackbelt Benefit Group. “So we have decided to benefit them again for the Alabama River Chili Cookoff 2025 on Thursday, Oct. 23.” On the behalf of the organization, Carmichael thanked its sponsors, teams, and attendees for their continued support. He also said that the BBG organization was not the only contributor to the monetary donation, but The Selma Lions Club did as well. “I think the Selma Lions Club donated close to $1,500 from their proceeds of being the top team at the festival including being the winning recipient of the People's Choice. With the team tips, they benefited all their proceeds to the Rise and Recover Selma organization,” Carmichael said. CEO and Executive Director Miah Tolbert of the DCCS Rise and Recover Selma organization said that they are deeply grateful for this incredible gift and the support that it represents. “This contribution will go directly toward strengthening our programs, helping us continue our mission of providing hope, healing, and recovery for those who need it most,” Tolbert said. “Partnerships like this remind us that we are not alone in this work. Together, we are building a stronger, healthier community. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you Blackbelt Benefit Group for believing in and uplifting the people we serve.” The Blackbelt Benefit Group said if there are any community partners who would like to join them by sponsoring a team at the upcoming chili cookoff in October that they can email: info @bbgal.org.

Today, The Selma Housing Authority will unveil its first-ever food truck initiative at its Rangedale Community Center on 1 Twilley Avenue in Selma .