A quiet promise made within a family has grown into something much bigger for children across Sumter County.
What began as an extension of an effort to support students facing food insecurity has now delivered a different kind of comfort: a safe, stable place to sleep.
The Sumter County bed program has exceeded its original fundraising and service goals, providing beds and weighted blankets to children who previously did not have one of their own.
The initiative builds on the success of Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope, a program launched in 2021 to discreetly provide weekend meals to Sumter County students facing food insecurity.
The meal program began by serving 24 students in three Sumter County middle schools and has since grown to support dozens of children each year through partnerships with local schools and community organizations.
RELATED: Don’t forget the Little Ones’: Sumter County launches bed program for students in need
The effort was launched by Dr. Brandon Renfroe, a Geraldine High School science teacher and adjunct professor at the University of West Alabama, who created Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope to address food insecurity among local students.
What began as a small effort has since grown into a broader network of support for children and families across the county. The bed project added another layer of care.
One of the guiding inspirations for the effort came from Renfroe’s mother-in-law, Myra Smith, a longtime elementary school teacher who spent 35 years quietly helping children in need.
Before her passing, she left behind a simple reminder: not to forget the little ones.
Organizers initially set a goal of raising $25,000 to provide 75 beds for students in need. Instead, the effort raised more than $35,000, allowing the program to deliver 120 beds along with weighted blankets, with plans to continue expanding.
“We are thrilled to see Myra’s dream become reality. Two things were paramount to her: her family, and the welfare of all her students, past and present.”
The need in Sumter County remains significant, with nearly 30 percent of residents living below the poverty line. Once students in need are identified through the school system, beds are ordered and shipped directly to families, ensuring the process remains discreet and respectful.
“We set out with an initial goal of raising $25,000 and providing 75 new beds. We have actually raised over $35,000. Through the generosity of additional donors, we have provided 120 beds and weighted blankets, and plan to do more still. Eventually, we would like to provide every needing child in Alabama with a bed they can call their own. It’s a big dream, yes, but a worthwhile one.”
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
