Bank Independent is once again rallying community support to fight food insecurity, launching its annual Food and Family Share drive with an expanded focus on helping local families in need.
The initiative officially begins April 6 and will run through April 24, collecting non-perishable food items, baby diapers and monetary donations across the bank’s North Alabama footprint.
For more than a decade, the bank has hosted its Food Share drive, but in recent years the effort has grown to address a broader range of needs. The addition of the “Family Share” component allows donors to contribute essential items like diapers, which organizers say are often overlooked but critically needed.
“Our mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of people that are in the communities we serve,” said Macke Mauldin, CEO of Bank Independent. “Certainly, we want to provide excellent financial products and services, but we also want to find ways to meet the everyday needs of our community members.”
“Food and Family Share is dedicated to addressing food insecurity and the necessary care of families in our community. Whether you can drop off diapers or food items at your local Bank Independent location or take a moment to donate monetarily to the drive, we’ll ensure your donations make a positive difference in your community.”
Community members can donate in person at Bank Independent locations or contribute financially through an online PayPal option. Organizers say the goal is to make giving as accessible as possible.
In addition to the multi-week drive, Bank Independent plans to host a Collection Day on April 24 at select local stores, with more details expected to be announced through the foundation’s website and social media channels.
The effort is organized through the Helping Hands Foundation, the bank’s nonprofit arm established in the wake of the April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak. Since then, the foundation has coordinated community outreach, volunteer initiatives and annual drives aimed at supporting neighbors across the region.
The Food and Family Share program has grown steadily over the years. In 2025 alone, the drive collected $2,563 in monetary donations and distributed 1,085 items to partner organizations. Since its inception, the program has generated a total impact of more than $203,000 and collected nearly 47,600 items.
Donations are distributed through a network of local partner agencies across seven counties, including The Help Center in Lauderdale County, Meal Barrel of Colbert County, departments of human resources in Franklin, Lawrence and Limestone counties, the Neighborhood Christian Center in Morgan County, and both the Downtown Rescue Mission and Manna House in Madison County.
Bank leaders say those partnerships are key to ensuring donations reach families who need them most.
As the drive kicks off, organizers are encouraging individuals, families and businesses across North Alabama to take part, whether by dropping off a few items, making a financial contribution or spreading the word.
“We’ll ensure your donations make a positive difference in your community,” Mauldin said.
