Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  The Wharf in Orange Beach and Birmingham-based Buffalo Rock Pepsi announced a $5,000 donation to Alabama Credit Union's Secret Meals for Hungry Children program. The program provides non-perishable weekend meals to children across Alabama during the school year. Representatives from both organizations gathered for a check presentation to mark the contribution. The event capped off another season of community-focused programming at the waterfront entertainment venue.

The check presentation took place on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at the final Pepsi Summer Adventure for Hunger of 2026. The Wharf Summer Nights series ran from May 26 through July 30, offering free, family-friendly events every night. Wednesdays featured the Pepsi Summer Adventure for Hunger, during which children completed a scavenger hunt for Pepsi prizes.

This marked the sixth consecutive year that The Wharf and Pepsi partnered to add a charitable element to the Wednesday event. For each child who finished the scavenger hunt, both organizations pledged to donate $5 to the Secret Meals program. The combined pledges totaled $5,000, the amount announced at the July 29 event.

Pepsi added new attractions to this year's event, including a dirty soda bar and a Pepsi Zero Sugar sampling station. Guests of all ages were invited to create custom drinks at the interactive stations. These additions gave families even more reasons to participate in the summer series.

Cynthia Bridges, Regional Business Development Coordinator – On Premise, Gulf Region, at Buffalo Rock Pepsi, spoke about the partnership. "We're grateful for the opportunity to partner with The Wharf and Alabama Credit Union once again to raise awareness and support children and families across Alabama," Bridges said. "Giving back to the communities we serve is at the heart of what we do at Buffalo Rock, and we're proud to support the important work of the Secret Meals for Hungry Children program."

Lindsey Pearce, Special Events and Community Partnerships at The Wharf, also shared her thoughts on the collaboration. "We are thrilled to join forces once again with Pepsi and Secret Meals for Hungry Children this year," Pearce said. "This initiative strongly resonates with The Wharf's Anchor Campaign, our philanthropic arm, and we applaud Alabama Credit Union for their impactful contributions. We are grateful for Pepsi's generous matching donation and their integral role in this meaningful program."

Approximately 2,500 students in Alabama and Northwest Florida currently receive Secret Meals food packs to take home on weekends. Many of these children rely on free and reduced-price school meals during the week. Without weekend support, many return to school on Monday having gone hungry. It costs roughly $140 to feed one child through the program for an entire school year.

Each food pack includes two breakfasts, two lunches, and two snacks. All items are child-friendly, vitamin-fortified, and packaged in pull-tab containers or juice boxes with straws. Each pack weighs 3.5 pounds, making it light enough for children to carry in a backpack.

The Wharf's Anchor Campaign has donated more than $350,000 to Gulf Coast nonprofits and organizations since 2021. Those interested in donating to the Secret Meals program can visit secretmeals.org. For event information at The Wharf, visit alwharf.com.