The Heart of Alabama Food Bank (HAFB) began more than 40 years ago as the Montgomery Area Food Bank, built on a simple but powerful idea: no one in the community should go hungry. From the beginning, the focus was on creating an efficient system to gather and distribute food to those in need, a foundation that continues to guide its work today.
Growth has defined that journey. What started as a local effort has expanded into a regional network serving 35 counties, supported by more than 200 partner agencies. By increasing its capacity to source, store and distribute tens of millions of pounds of food each year, HAFB continues to meet rising needs across a diverse region.
Today, the organization serves as the central hub for food distribution, managing large-scale logistics while ensuring food safety at every step. Partner agencies extend that reach into local communities, connecting directly with families and creating a system that is both broad in scale and local in impact.
At its core, the mission, “feeding hope by fighting hunger”, remains unchanged. Guided by stewardship, collaboration and a commitment to serving every individual with dignity, HAFB adapts to challenges, such as shifts in food supply and funding, by strengthening partnerships and improving operations. This impact is made possible by staff, volunteers, donors and partners whose coordinated efforts sustain a high level of service.
“Looking ahead, we will continue to strengthen our operations, expand access and build partnerships that allow us to serve more people, more efficiently. Our focus remains on ensuring every neighbor has access to the food they need to thrive,” said Varina Mead, Chief Development Officer.
