Meeting the Moment: Helping Families in Need

November brings a surge in demand for organizations fighting hunger. As families prepare for the holidays, extra expenses and rising heating costs stretch budgets even further. This year, with the high cost of food and pauses in paychecks and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

(SNAP) benefits during the government shutdown, even more families are struggling to put meals on the table. Local food banks and pantries are stepping up – and Regions associates are joining them to make a difference.

We are proud to be a part of this important initiative to help neighbors in need, right here in our headquarters city.Leroy Abrahams, head of Community Engagement at Regions

Regions Bank and other Birmingham companies are participating in an emergency hunger relief effort led by Mayor Randall Woodfin with oversight from United Way of Central Alabama to assist residents facing delays in their nutrition benefits. Eligible Birmingham residents enrolled in the SNAP program can apply for a one-time $100 gift card to help bridge the payment gap resulting from the federal shutdown.

“We are proud to be a part of this important initiative to help neighbors in need, right here in our headquarters city,” said Leroy Abrahams, head of Community Engagement at Regions. “We were pleased to not only support the program financially but also lend our banking resources to fulfill the gift cards. We’re very grateful to the Regions Operations team for contributing to this important effort.”

In early November, Birmingham Regions associates also pitched in to work an emergency shift at the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, helping the organization manage a surge in demand. But associates are meeting the moment in many markets across the bank’s footprint. Below are additional highlights of recent and upcoming Regions-sponsored volunteer efforts that are focused on putting food on the tables of local families.

Alabama

The Regions Legal team turned their donation drive supporting the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama into a spirited Iron Bowl showdown. Donations were sorted by team – Alabama fans in one spot, Auburn fans in another – with bragging rights on the line. Items ranged from baby formula and canned goods to hygiene products. Organizer Tiko Russell said, “It’s a fun and impactful way to show our team spirit while giving back to our community. Whether you’re rolling with the Tide or roaring with the Tigers, every donation makes a difference!”

Louisiana

The Regions Military Support Community, led by Shreveport Market Executive Denny Moton, along with Nancy Corbin, Paige Lasyone and Kay Goke, came together to provide perishable and non-perishable food items for 150 active reserve technicians of the 307^th Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB who did not receive pay during the government shutdown. “Our Military Support Community is serving our mission to the fullest at a time when it is most needed and I am so incredibly proud,” Goke said.

Tennessee

Food drives are great, but in Jackson, Tenn., they truly take it to another level. Each fall, for the past 20 years, local businesses, churches, schools and organizations have teamed up to create giant sculptures made entirely out of unopened cans of food. Every can used in the structures is donated to Regional Inter-Faith Association, or RIFA, for distribution to people in the community. According to Regions Consumer Banking Manager Ron Whisenant, Canstruction 2025 was a huge success, bringing in 51,000 pounds of food – 3,500 cans donated by the Regions team. “The Canstruction event is a powerful way to support RIFA and address food insecurity during a time of year when many families need it most,” Whisenant said. “I was inspired to lead the Regions team after seeing how creativity and teamwork can turn a simple idea into real impact. Our team’s problem-solving and collaboration blew me away, and it was very meaningful to see that energy translated into supporting local families. Every team member brought a true ‘can-do’ spirit, and the project made a real difference for our community.”

Florida

Georgia

The Atlanta Regions team is helping the Michael A. Grant Boys and Girls Club host a Thanksgiving Dinner for students and their families. According to Hannah Martin, Capital Markets associate and active member of the local Impact Network, they’re expecting to serve more than 85 local families.

Arkansas

The Regions Little Rock team are regulars at the Arkansas Food Bank, having volunteered with the organization three times already this year. But to Jena Allen, executive assistant in the Consumer Banking Group who organized two additional holiday events, volunteering at the food bank is much more than just a day of filling boxes. “Family gatherings were and still are a big part of my family, especially around the holidays,” she said. “Food is the very center of most of our gatherings. This organization helps relieve what can be a burden or worry for many families — and we’re here to help.”

Texas