SUMTER COUNTY, AL — The Alabama Coalition for Healthy Mothers and Children (ACHMC), in partnership with Sumter County Schools, is pleased to announce the launch of a new initiative to provide beds and bedding to students in need. This project, titled “Don’t Forget the Little Ones,” was made possible by a significant and timely donation from a generous ACHMC donor of $15,000 which was a significant initial step in funding the $25,000 project. A check was presented August 8 to Marcy Burroughs, superintendent of Sumter County Schools by Gary Furr, Founder and President of ACHMC and Bart McCorquodale , a member of the ACHMC’s Board of Advocates. An additional $5,000 check was also designated by ACHMC for the “FightingHunger, Feeding Hope” project, providing meals for half of the school year for program participants.

The program aims to address a critical, often unseen, need in the community. Many students in Sumter County lack a proper bed, sleeping instead on floors or sharing beds with family members. A good night’s sleep is a fundamental building block for a child’s health, well-being, and academic success. This new initiative will provide twin-size beds, mattresses, pillows, and bedding to ensure that participating students have a safe and comfortable place to rest.

“We are incredibly grateful for the anonymous donor whose generosity has made this program a reality,” said Gary Furr. “Our Board is excited to participate in this project by helping members of this community as they take the initiative to address the needs of the children in their own community.”

“Access to a bed is about more than just comfort; it’s about dignity and the ability to come to school ready to learn,” said Superintendent of Sumter County Schools, Marcy Burroughs. “We are thrilled to partner with the Alabama Coalition for Healthy Mothers and Children and the community to bring this much-needed resource to our students. This program will have a profound and lasting impact on their lives both in and out of the classroom.”

“Traditionally, we focus on academics, but now schools are more of a community hub, places where families can access food, clothing, counseling, health services and more,” Burroughs added. “This is especially true in rural and high poverty areas where access to services are limited.”

The “Don’t Forget the Little Ones” program is a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to support the holistic health and educational success of children in rural Alabama. 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, along with financial support from the Alabama Coalition for Healthy Mothers and Children. 

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. However, the community and school engagement will not stop there. Members of the school staff will deliver and assemble the beds when they arrive, allowing school employees, students, and their families to establish relationships with each other.

The Alabama Coalition for Healthy Mothers and Children was founded in 2018 to empower the under-resourced families of Alabama toward a healthy life and better future through access to healthcare, knowledge, partnerships, leadership, and education. Tax-deductible donations to support the work of the ACHMC may be made at https://givebutter.com/af2025.