The Bank Independent Feed a Family for $5 campaign returns March 7-25 as part of the eighth annual Food Share drive to benefit local food banks.

Donations of non-perishable food items and cash can be dropped off at any Bank Independent location, directly through strategic partner businesses or through the PayPal link at bibank.com/help. Bank Independent works with local partner organizations across its seven-county footprint – including Franklin County – to ensure donations are distributed to area families in need.

“Our Food Share initiative has always been driven by the need to address food insecurity in our community,” explained Macke Mauldin, president and CEO of BancIndependent. “The charities we support provide vital assistance for families undergoing hardships. Our efforts help our partners make a positive impact in the lives they serve.”

Nikki Randolph, community engagement officer at Bank Independent, said the bank began to focus its efforts under the “Feed a Family for $5” concept this past year. “This message really resonated with the community,” Randolph said, “and thanks to their generous donations, we were able to feed over 5,000 families.”

Donations will be distributed to local organizations that maintain food banks to fill emergency food needs, including the Franklin County Department of Human Resources as well as the Committee on Church Cooperation, Food Bank of North Alabama, Limestone County Churches Involved Inc., Neighborhood Christian Center, Sidney’s Safe! Foundation, Manna House in Huntsville, The Meal Barrel Project and Help Center.

To supplement the annual Food Share drive, the bank will donate 10 cents for every Bank Independent debit card transaction made at a grocery store, up to $10,000, between March 7-15, with the total being distributed across the local partner organizations.

Food Share drive part of Bank Independent’s Helping Hands program, which also includes employee volunteer efforts, donations and sponsorships. Other Share drives are Shelter Share to benefit animal shelters, Toy Share to collect toys for the holidays, and School Share for school supplies.