The Independent Bank received more than $ 11,776 in cash donations along with 970 perishable food items to support its seventh annual “Feed a Family for $ 5 with Meal Share” campaign.
These donations, combined with a $ 10,000 debit card grocery match promise for a total of $ 21,776, will be distributed to local food banks throughout North Alabama and distributed to area families in need.
“The charities we support throughout the year through our Helping Hands initiative provide vital assistance to families in distress,” said Macke Mauldin, President and CEO of BancIndependent. “Sharing Food allows us to focus our efforts and influence families by meeting their most basic needs. We are grateful to the wonderful local organizations that address these needs on a daily basis. We are honored to partner them through this journey and throughout the year. “
The coronavirus pandemic changes Food Share plans in 2020, prompting Independent Banks to engage directly with local food banks to support their immediate needs. In comparison to this year’s drive, the sixth annual Food Share drive completed in 2019 raised more than $ 562 in cash donations and more than 9,850 types of nonperishable food.
“We could never have anticipated such an overwhelmingly positive response to the” Feed a Family for $ 5 “campaign,” said Nikki Randolph, Community Engagement Officer at Bank Independent. “While some businesses and private donors quietly make large donations to the drive, most cash donations are made $ 5 at a time either at one of our bank locations or through our online PayPal donation option. Thank you for everyone’s generous donation, we were able to feed more than 5,000 families through the Food Share collection. “
Local food bank partners helped inspire the campaign, as the Community Engagement Team knew that in the right hands, a simple $ 5 donation could feed a family for a day. An example of a grocery collection illustrating how much $ 5 worth of purchaseable food is placed on display in the Bank Independent drive-thru window. Randolph credits display reminders for moving customers to help make a positive difference through the Food Share drive.
Donations will be distributed to local organizations that maintain food banks to meet emergency food needs, including: Church Cooperation Committee in Morgan County, Environmental Christian Center in Decatur, Lawrence County and Franklin County Human Resources Department, Limestone County Involved Church, Inc., Sidney’s Safe! Foundation, The Barrel Food Project at the Shelf and Manna House in Huntsville.
As part of an ongoing effort to complement its annual Food Share program, the bank pledged to donate 10 cents for every Independent Bank debit card transaction made at the grocery store, up to $ 10,000. This amount is fulfilled and will be distributed to all local partner organizations related to the Food Share donation.
The Food Share drive is part of the Independent Bank Helping Hands program, which also includes employee volunteering, donations and sponsorship. Other Sharing Drives include a Shelter Share to benefit animal shelters, a Toy Share to collect toys for the holidays and a School Share drive for school supplies.