Local officials involved in the Food Share drive pose with some of the canned goods that were donated to Franklin County DHR. Pictured are (L to R): DHR employees Carol Duncan, Sarah Holmes, and Tiara Griffin, plus Bank Independent employees Carolyn Galloway, Sales Manager of our Russellville Sales Office, Hillary Hall, Sales Manager of our Russellville Village Square Sales Office, and Larry Archer, Franklin and Lawrence County Area President.

The Franklin County Department of Human Resources (DHR) recently received over 850 items of non-perishable food donated by the community during Bank Independent’s first annual Food Share drive in May.

These items, plus cash donations, were delivered to the DHR offices for distribution to local families in need.

“With kids being out of school, we really see the demand for emergency food supplies increase during the summer months,” said Tiara Griffin, social worker for DHR.

“We can go through our entire pantry very quickly, and it’s hard to tell someone ‘I’m sorry, we don’t have anything for you.’”

The Franklin County DHR office is open 40 hours a week and accepts donations of food from the community at any time during office hours.

In addition to the Department of Human Resources of Franklin County, Bank Independent’s Food Share partners included the Department of Human Resources of Lawrence County, Sidney’s Safe! Foundation, Limestone County Churches Involved, Inc., the Committee on Church Cooperation in Morgan County and the Neighborhood Christian Center in Decatur.

“I’m proud of our customers, employees and friends who have provided for their neighbors in need through our Food Share drive,” said Larry Archer, Bank Independent Area President in Franklin County.

“The generosity of our community is truly inspiring.”

DHR Director Jerry Groce agreed.

“It is the unselfish dedication of community partners like Bank Independent that enable our workers to meet the needs of families in Franklin County who are not served by other programs,” Groce said.

Food Share is part of Bank Independent’s Helping Hands program, which also includes employee volunteer efforts, donations and sponsorships. Other Share drives include Shelter Share to benefit animal shelters, Toy Share to collect toys for the holidays, and the upcoming School Share drive for school supplies, which begins July 7. The Bank will again partner with DHR in Franklin County to distribute school supplies collected through School Share.

Bank Independent’s Helping Hands program was inspired by employee requests for organized volunteer opportunities after the April 27, 2011 tornadoes. Since then, Bank Independent employees have donated over 2,200 hours in paid volunteer time to community efforts in addition to the program’s Share drives.