A charitable organization based in Andalusia is about to receive a bit of help itself in its continuing quest to help others, via state funding.

House Speaker Seth Hammett and State Senator Jimmy Holley

announced that Acts of Kindness, which has a mission of providing food, clothing and social services for area residents, will receive a $35,000 grant from the Alabama

Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).

"Acts of Kindness, through its food distribution program and other social services," provides a valuable resource for needy Covington County residents," said Hammett. I am happy to assist them in their ongoing effort to provide this service."

"I am committed to doing all I can to assist groups like Acts of Kindness, that have such a tremendous impact on the lives of so many people," said Holley.

Acts of Kindness President Steve Dohoney said the most recent ADECA grant, combined with an earlier $20,000 grant, will assist the organization with facility upkeep and repairs, office equipment and operational expenses.

"Our goal is to provide food and clothing for the needy, and we have distributed three million pounds of food to more than 5,000 area families in the last four years," said Dohoney. "This latest grant will allow us to begin a Fatherhood Initiative program and to further develop our Youth-at-Risk program."

Dohoney said the Youth-at-Risk program delivers an anti-drug message to teens at a time of the week when teens are most vulnerable to drug usage.

"Our program is on Friday evenings between 7 and 11 p.m, and we provide a safe environment, food , activities and other events," added Dohoney. "We thank Speaker Hammett, Senator Holley, Governor Siegelman and everyone else involved in helping us to help others."