Alliance Bank employees put service into action this Presidents Day by volunteering at the Humanitarian Distribution Center (HDC) in Francesville, Indiana, as part of the bank’s annual bankwide meeting.
All 70 Alliance Bank employees dedicated 1.5 hours each, contributing a total of 105 service hours to support HDC’s mission of fighting food insecurity across the region. During the volunteer shift, Alliance Bank team members worked side by side on a variety of essential tasks, including loading pallets with donated goods, assembling soup packets from individual ingredients, and repacking a full pallet of donated items into smaller boxes for easier distribution to local food pantries. HDC currently serves 38 pantries, covering 13 counties in Northwest Indiana.
The Humanitarian Distribution Center serves as a vital collection and distribution hub for donated food from individuals, businesses, and organizations. HDC repackages and pallets these donations so that local food pantries can visit once each month to pick up supplies and distribute them directly to families in need throughout many surrounding communities.
“Our 2026 Annual Meeting was the second one I attended where Alliance Bank volunteered at HDC,” shared Banker Sara Harmsen. “I really admire HDC’s mission and enjoy working together as a team with my colleagues outside of the workplace. My favorite activity at HDC is loading pallets with boxes of food. I like that I can challenge myself to pack the next pallet better than the last. I also love that I can be physically active while supporting a good cause.”
Team members Kurt Zarse and Sara Harmsen load a pallet of goods.
Alliance Bank’s relationship with HDC extends well beyond a single day of service. The bank’s team volunteers at the Francesville facility once per quarter, reinforcing a consistent commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting local partners who serve on the front lines of need. HDC operates as a nonprofit organization that distributes food and other essential products at no cost to qualified food pantries and soup kitchens, helping ensure that donated resources reach those who need them most. The organization relies heavily on volunteers and community support to sustain its operations.
How to Support the Humanitarian Distribution Center
HDC is a charitable non-profit organization operated by a voluntary nine-member board of directors. Community members who want to support HDC can do so through volunteer service and monetary gifts.
- Volunteer at HDC during their one work session per month. They load 50 pallets to be distributed on the first Wednesday of each month. Volunteer groups should be around 15 people. Call 219-863-7495 if you have a group that would like to volunteer their time.
- Monetary donations cover the operating expenses of HDC. Checks can be mailed to HDC at PO Box 707.- Francesville, IN 47946.
Bankers Jennifer Honn and Halle Richey work alongside their team to make soup packets to distribute to local food pantries.
