Dr. Mark Sullivan (bottom row third from right) with Kristy Plump, BCS Community Engagement Specialist (bottom row far left) and Dr. Angela Day (top row far right)

AKAs Address Childhood Hunger via Power Packs for BCS Scholars

Birmingham City Schools

April 29, 2026

With the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated South Eastern Regional Conference taking place at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex this week, its sorority sisters are assembling 11,000 Power Packs filled with meals and snacks for local children, including Birmingham City Schools scholars.


Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (CHIPP) is part of AKA’s Empower Our Families initiative. It is designed to provide weekend and holiday meals for children in local communities who may not have reliable access to food outside of school days. 

Power Pack assembly

Each Power Pack includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Items may include individual packs of macaroni and cheese cups, ravioli, noodles, soups, oatmeal and grits packets, fruit cups, fruit snacks, and treats such as Rice Krispy treats.


The sorority’s most ambitious childhood hunger program to date, CHIPP directly supports children living in food-insecure households by helping ensure they have access to meals when school is not in session, including weekends, spring break, holidays, and other out-of-school days. 

AKAs Nikki Seaborn, BCS Communications Coordinator, and Dr. Angela Day, BCS Dual Enrollment Specialist

“By helping children return to school well-fed, CHIPP supports stronger academic focus and helps remove hunger as a barrier to learning,” said Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan. “The program also helps reduce stress, fatigue, anxiety, and behavioral challenges that can result from food insecurity."


CHIPP collaborates with schools, community organizations, and local leaders to identify children and families in need. For the past four years, under the current administration, Soaring to Greater Heights of Sisterhood and Service, Alpha Kappa Alpha members have purchased, packed, and distributed the Power Packs.


The bags will be picked up today by City of Birmingham and Birmingham Fire and Rescue then delivered to the schools listed below on May 1 for distribution to scholars in need.

  • Arrington Elementary

  • Barrett Elementary

  • Brown Elementary 

  • Central Park Elementary 

  • Hayes K-8

  • Oliver Elementary 

  • Princeton Alternative Elementary

  • Robinson Elementary

  • Tuggle Elementary

  • West End Academy

  • Wylam Elementary


Over the past four years, the sorority has supported Princeton Elementary by way of the Omicron Omega Chapter and Avondale Elementary, West End Academy and Hayes K-8 School via the Phi lota Omega Chapter.