For the past nine years, United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) has invited members of the Tocqueville Society and the Young Philanthropists Society (YPS) to come together in volunteering for one day at the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama.
The Food Bank, a UWCA partner agency, distributes millions of pounds of food throughout Central Alabama every year. In 2024 alone, the organization gave out more than 24 million pounds of food to people in our community who were experiencing food insecurity.
This year, as usual, donors were excited to help with the manual sorting and packaging of food items on the assembly line. More than 25 participants came out to the Food Bank’s warehouse, just southwest of downtown Birmingham. And they were not only excited to volunteer, but also to meet new people and work together. Brandi Johnson, a Training Consultant with Regions Bank, was among the many volunteers. A member of YPS, she has been giving to United Way for about 10 years, and the joy of giving is central to her involvement.
“It makes me feel good at the end of the day, knowing that not only am I blessed, but I am able to help bless others, even if it’s in a small way like packing boxes,” Johnson said. “Giving benefits the giver just as much as the recipient.”
Connecting with other people who share the same concern for their community has also proven meaningful, she added.
“Through these opportunities, you meet new people from different companies, sometimes from your company. You make those connections that end up becoming friendships or providing opportunities for other things,” Johnson said. “I’ve even found people, through United Way events, that I’ve sought to do more service with.”
Brian Heslop, another volunteer, is a Tocqueville donor who has been giving to United Way for 26 years. He recalls volunteering at the Food Bank several times since he got involved with United Way, but this year marked the first time he worked the assembly line where boxes are packed full of food.
His reasoning for continuing to show up is simple, he said. “It’s fun, and plus, you get to see the benefit that the community gets out of your service.”
Learn more about Leadership Giving and UWCA’s Donor Networks by clicking here.
To learn more about how United Way partners and programs work to provide Hunger Relief, click here.
