Department of Commerce volunteers at Heart of Alabama Food Bank to support hunger relief efforts

The Alabama Department of Commerce this week took a hands-on role in fighting food insecurity by volunteering at the Heart of Alabama Food Bank in Montgomery. Commerce employees dedicated their time to assist with food bank operations, demonstrating the department’s ongoing commitment to serving communities across the state.

In addition to the volunteer effort, the department contributed a combined food and monetary donation to support the organization’s mission of providing meals and resources to Alabamians in need.

Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair praised the initiative as an extension of the department’s broader mission to elevate the quality of life for all residents through economic growth and community engagement.

“At Commerce, we believe that serving Alabama goes beyond growing our economy — it’s also about supporting the people who make this state strong,” McNair said.

“Our team was proud to lend a hand to the Heart of Alabama Food Bank, and we’re honored to play a small part in the vital work they do every day to feed our communities,” she said.

The initiative reflects the department’s continued efforts to foster a culture of service and social responsibility, reinforcing its role not only as a driver of economic development but as a partner in building stronger, healthier communities throughout Alabama.

The Heart of Alabama Food Bank (HAFB), formally the Montgomery Area Food Bank, was established in 1986. The organization became a certified affiliate of Feeding America in 1989 and works with the state association, Feeding Alabama.

The mission of HAFB is to source, acquire and distribute nutritious food to those experiencing hunger and food insecurity throughout the region so that families, seniors and children can thrive.

This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website.