When life gets tough, we all need a squad.
That idea is at the heart of “Play your Part,” the theme of Feeding America’s 2026 Hunger Action Month this September.
After severe storms recently left thousands in Memphis, Tennessee, without power for an extended period, nonprofit 901 BLOC Squad put that theme into action by lending its support to the Mid-South Food Bank, a Feeding America affiliate and Regions Bank community partner.
901 BLOC Squad’s support included:
- Hosting extra on-site pantries and recruiting additional volunteers to staff them
- Inviting the broader Memphis community to pick up food at its location
Their efforts helped distribute more than 27,000 pounds of food, the equivalent of 23,000 meals.
“They were the first ones to step up,” Mary Kanowitz said of the nonprofit focused on equipping and empowering youth and reducing violence through mentorship. “They were really heroes in that moment, because it was almost two weeks before the power was restored.”
For Vic Lightning, assistant director with 901 BLOC Squad, the irony of the situation and his last name wasn’t lost. But helping his neighbors weather the storm’s aftermath was what mattered most.
For years, Lightning has known firsthand the difference the Mid-South Food Bank makes. He volunteered with the nonprofit years before joining 901 BLOC Squad’s team. Now, every other week, the food bank serves 300 families connected to 901 BLOC Squad.
The need following the storms was especially personal. Members of Lightning’s own team were affected.
So, when Lightning was asked to help more families across Memphis, the answer was easy.
“We said, ‘Come on,’” Lightning explained. “We’re a big enough site to do it and we enjoyed doing it. Anything we can do to save a life or make a life better, we’re going to do.”
Our partner agencies really serve as the boots on the ground with our neighbors.
Kanowitz, chief development officer with the Mid-South Food Bank, and her 80 teammates rely on 901 BLOC Squad and nearly 300 more nonprofits they regularly work with to help distribute food across the organization’s 31-county service region spanning Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas.
“Our partner agencies really serve as the boots on the ground with our neighbors,” she said. “We’re able to be the food reserve and they help by communicating the needs they’re seeing in their region.”
And in that moment, it was all hands on deck to address heightened need across a region that already experiences some of the nation’s highest hunger rates.
“The storm hits, the power goes out and then people have food spoilage issues they’re facing,” said Kanowitz. “It was a trickle-down effect. The need just continued to increase the longer the power was not restored.”
That response is just one example of the way 901 BLOC Squad regularly answers the call to help.
“What they do in serving the community is unbelievable,” she said. “They raise their hands any time they can help with a mobile pantry or assisting with a need. They’re just a remarkable group of people.”
Regions Associates also Play their Part
In addition to partner agencies like 901 BLOC Squad, Kanowitz and the Mid-South Food Bank team also rely on thousands of volunteers each year to assist with projects including food sorting, packing senior boxes, restocking shelves and more.
In late August, members of Regions’ Consumer team in Memphis volunteered for more than 150 hours at the Mid-South Food Bank.
Memphis Market Engagement Partner Kimberly Moore worked with Kanowitz and team to coordinate a two-week project, with bank associates sorting donated food as part of a volunteerism blitz across the city.
“Kimberly reached out to express Regions’ interest in volunteering,” said Kanowitz. “She was so organized in getting everything scheduled. If I had more corporate supporters like Kimberly, think about all we could do.”
For Memphis Consumer Banking manager Brandy King, the experience reinforced something bigger than the work itself: the value of showing up for others.
“Our volunteer blitz reminded us that the greatest impact we make is not only through the work we do, but through the lives we touch,” King said. “Giving back meant so much to our associates because it allowed us to serve with purpose and connect with something bigger than ourselves. We came away closer as a team and grateful for the opportunity to give back.”
Our volunteer blitz reminded us that the greatest impact we make is not only through the work we do, but through the lives we touch.
Brandy King, Memphis Consumer Banking manager
That enthusiasm for helping others didn’t go unnoticed.
“The Regions team were just delightful and so excited to be here,” said Kanowitz. “It was one of the most energetic couple of weeks that we’ve had here. We’re ready to have them back every other day.”
Read about the work more Feeding America affiliates are doing in their communities: