A group of children in Sumter County will sleep a little more soundly this school year, thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations both in Sumter County and beyond.
Supporters in the rural west Alabama community have launched a new initiative to provide beds to children who don’t have one of their own. The effort is focused on the same students who are part of the existing “Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope” program, which discreetly provides weekend meals to students facing food insecurity.
That program, established in 2021 by Geraldine High School science teacher and University of West Alabama adjunct professor Dr. Brandon Renfroe, began by serving 24 students in three Sumter County middle schools. It has since grown to serve 72 students annually and inspired similar efforts in other counties. The meal distribution is supported through partnerships with the West Alabama Food Bank and Sumter County Child Nutrition Program Director Heather Shambry.
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The new bed initiative adds another layer of support for students in need—and its roots are deeply personal. One of the guiding motivations for Renfroe came from his mother-in-law, Myra Smith, a beloved teacher known for quietly helping children in need throughout her 35-year career at Fyffe Elementary in DeKalb County. Before her passing, she left him with one request: “Don’t forget the little ones.”
Now, those same students may receive more than just food. The new initiative aims to provide beds—including twin-size bed frames, mattresses, pillows, and bedding—to children in need. With nearly 30% of residents in Sumter County living below the poverty line—one of the highest poverty rates in the state—the need is significant.
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The project’s fundraising goal is $25,000. So far, $20,000 has already been raised, thanks in part to a $15,000 donation from the Alabama Coalition for Healthy Mothers and Children. Dr. Renfroe also pledged $5,000 of his personal teaching salary to support the effort.
Just hours after Smith’s death, Renfroe received the phone call confirming the significant donation for the bed project—an outcome far beyond the $2,000 he had initially hoped for. The timing, he said, was deeply meaningful.
The bed program is being coordinated by a team that includes Renfroe, Sumter County Superintendent Dr. Marcy Burroughs, UWA Dean of Graduate Studies Dr. B.J. Kimbrough, and Heather Shambry. Once the school year begins, counselors will identify students in need, and the beds will be ordered through Amazon and shipped directly to the families.
In a time when schools and communities face continued challenges, the effort reflects a larger truth: there are still those who are willing to step forward and meet the needs of others—quietly, generously, and with lasting impact.
To give to the Secret Meals program contact the West Alabama Food Bank. To donate to the Beds Project, contact Sumter County Schools.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
