Shark Tank’s Cuban sends $10K gift in support of hunger relief for Alabama students

Sherri Blevins

—

May 27, 2025

A heartfelt email from Geraldine High School science teacher Dr. Brandon Renfroe recently turned into a life-changing blessing for dozens of Alabama students struggling with food insecurity, thanks to billionaire entrepreneur and Shark Tank star Mark Cuban.

Earlier this week, Dr. Renfroe received a surprise phone call from Cuban’s Chief Financial Officer informing him that Cuban would be donating $10,000 to support a student feeding program launched by Renfroe and his colleagues in West Alabama. The unexpected gift will fund the effort for an entire school year.

“I thank God for this amazing news,” Renfroe shared in an update about the donation.

The donation is part of an ongoing journey for Renfroe, whose 2022 doctoral dissertation at the University of West Alabama focused on food insecurity in Alabama’s Black Belt region. His research revealed that students in the region experience very low food security (VLFS) at more than 11 times the national average.

To help address the issue, Renfroe partnered with the West Alabama Food Bank and Sumter County Child Nutrition Program Director Heather Shambry to establish the “Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope” initiative. The program discreetly provides “secret meals” to students in need over the weekends. What began in 2021 by supporting 24 students in three Sumter County middle schools has since grown to serve 72 students annually.

The program expanded in 2022 to include DeKalb County, where Renfroe helped launch the Bulldog Pantry at Geraldine High School. Supported by the Food Bank of North Alabama and local donors, the pantry distributes food to families each weekend.

Renfroe reflected on the efforts in both Sumter and DeKalb counties.

“These two counties are on opposite ends of the state and have very different demographics,” he noted. “But one thing they share is rural hunger — and the willingness of good people to step up and help when it’s needed.”.

Thanks to Mark Cuban’s generosity, the children served by the “Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope” program will continue receiving vital support in the upcoming year.

Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].