Women United Members Roll Up their Sleeves to Fight Hunger

Women United members pose for a photo after a morning volunteering at the Community Foodbank of Central Alabama.

In a major joint event with other United Way donor networks, members of Women United recently spent a day volunteering at the Community Foodbank of Central Alabama (CFB). Their efforts, along with the J. Mason Davis Leadership Society and the Young Philanthropists Society, were part of a shared commitment to support the CFB’s mission to make a tangible difference in the lives of people who simply don’t have enough to eat.

The Community Foodbank’s Vital Role

Founded in 1982, the Community Foodbank plays a critical role in Central Alabama’s fight against hunger, distributing millions of pounds of food each year to individuals and families across a six-county area. In 2023 alone, the CFB distributed more than 25 million pounds of food — equivalent to 21 million meals — ensuring that essential resources reach those in need, including some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

In describing the organization’s core philosophy, CFB’s Director of Community Engagement Patrick McClusky said, “We are not just about providing food; we’re about providing dignity. When people receive food through our programs, we want them to have options [of the kinds of food they accept] and to feel empowered.”

The Personal Impact and Reward of Community Engagement

Volunteers spent the morning sorting food donations, checking to see that all items were in good condition and properly categorized. This attention to detail is essential for maintaining CFB’s high standards and ensuring that the food distributed is both safe and nutritious.

For Women United members, the hands-on experience provided a powerful reminder of how United Way agencies make a real difference in people’s lives. “There’s something incredibly rewarding about getting involved and seeing where your efforts go,” said Susan Clowdus, Vice President at Regions Bank. “Being able to contribute directly to something that will truly make a difference in someone’s life is incredibly fulfilling.”

The volunteers also assisted in packing the sorted food into boxes for distribution, each box filled with a balanced selection of nutritious items to ensure recipients receive an assortment of food that meets their needs.

Stalwart in the Fight Against Hunger

McClusky emphasized that volunteers are the backbone of the Food Bank. “Their time and energy are crucial to the efficiency of our operations and to maximizing the amount of food we can distribute. We rely on their support nearly every day of the year,” he said.

As the Community Foodbank of Central Alabama continues its essential work, its ongoing partnerships with UWCA and its donor networks and volunteers remain a cornerstone of the effort to combat hunger in Central Alabama.

Learn More About UWCA’s Impact on Hunger Relief

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