Volunteers from United Way of Central Alabama’s (UWCA) Young Philanthropist Society (YPS) and Tocqueville Society recently came together at partner agency Community Food Bank of Central Alabama for their 10th annual joint volunteer day.
The longtime tradition brings together two donor networks with a shared goal — fighting food insecurity in Central Alabama.
More than 20 participants gathered at the Food Bank’s warehouse, ready to roll up their sleeves. Some assembled 147 food boxes for distribution to neighbors facing hunger. Others packed 2,000 backpack snacks for children experiencing food insecurity, helping ensure students have something to eat when school meals are not available.
Building Connections Across Generations
Volunteers were eager not only to serve but also to connect — building relationships with other donors of various ages and backgrounds who are united in their commitment to making a positive impact in our community.
Stephanie Smith of Regions, a YPS member and longtime United Way supporter, has participated in the joint volunteer day since it began 10 years ago.
“It’s one of my favorite volunteer opportunities,” Smith said. “Every box we pack is going to someone who really needs it, and it reminds me why I give and why I stay involved.”
For Tocqueville Society member Skip Dorlon, who retired in 2016 after 55 years with Vulcan Materials Company, the day is about more than volunteering.
“I’ve supported United Way for a long time,” said Skip. “Coming to volunteer opportunities like this gives me a way to stay involved in the community and give back.”
Understanding the Growing Need in Central Alabama
The need continues to grow.
“More and more, we’re providing food to hardworking families who simply cannot afford food and other very basic needs,” said Sharon Haynes, Director of Partner Engagement at the Food Bank.
In 2025 alone, more than 24 million pounds of food were distributed across the region — yet that amount met only half of Central Alabama’s need. Currently, one out of every six people in our area is food insecure, including one out of every five children.
Therefore, opportunities such as the joint volunteer day are more important than ever. They not only provide critical support to partner agencies but also deepen donors’ understanding of the challenges many of our neighbors face.
Looking ahead, there is growth on the horizon for the Food Bank as it prepares to move to a new facility just off Lakeshore Parkway in Bessemer. With an anticipated opening at the end of May, the new building will be twice as large as the current space and will feature expanded freezer and cooler capacity to increase storage of refrigerated food. With inbound and outbound shipping ramps, a larger volunteer area for building food boxes and dedicated space to sort donated items, the facility will allow the Food Bank to serve more families, more efficiently.
YPS and the Tocqueville Society represent two distinct but complementary donor networks within United Way of Central Alabama. YPS engages young professionals who give $1,000 or more annually, while Tocqueville Society members contribute $10,000 or more each year. Together, they demonstrate that leadership giving is not only about financial investment — it is also about showing up.
Learn more about how United Way addresses hunger and food insecurity in Central Alabama here.
Learn more about Leadership Giving and all of UWCA’s donor networks by clicking here.