Bryant Bank Pledges $50K Donation to West Alabama Food Bank for New Facility Fundraising Campaign

The West Alabama Food Bank received a $50,000 donation from Bryant Bank as a part of their "Imagine West Alabama" fundraising campaign for their new facility in South Tuscaloosa.

Representatives from Bryant Bank presented the food bank board of directors with a check before their monthly meeting.

According to a release, the food bank has served the community for 35 years with a mission to alleviate hunger and food insecurity in surrounding communities, where they currently supports more than 315,000 residents in nine counties in West Alabama.

Get our free mobile app

The WAFB has begun the process of moving from its current facility, which is located on McFarland Boulevard in Northport, to the old Buffalo Rock warehouse facility, which is located off Highway 69 in Tuscaloosa.

The release said staff members needed more space and have since outgrown the Northport facility, which the organization has operated out of since 2011.

Jean Rykaczewski, CEO and executive director of WAFB, said in the release the new facility will allow more storage for fresh produce and frozen foods, as well as house a community demonstration space that will allow community members to attend classes on preparation and storage of fresh, seasonal foods.

The new space will also provide better parking, larger space for offices and production and easier access for trucks and volunteers.

Claude Edwards, Bryant Bank president, said the food bank is a cornerstone of service for the community and they are honored to support WAFB's mission and goals of serving more individuals through the move.

"It is our hope that the food bank is able to expand their services and that other corporate sponsors will heed the call to invest in a cause that affects all corners of our community," Edwards said.