Reviewed by: Patience Itson
You need to know these 3 Birmingham nonprofits doing big things
Reading time: 5 minutes
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As Giving Tuesday gives way to the anticipation of Christmas, the spotlight on local nonprofits remains crucial during this joyful season. If you’re looking to get involved with a Birmingham nonprofit but aren’t sure where to start, we’ve got you covered.
Keep reading for three organizations who would love your help this December and beyond—plus how one local business is making a difference.
1. Oak Mountain Missions
For over 20 years, Oak Mountain Missions has been assisting local families with food, financial support, school supplies, clothing, furniture and holiday gifts and meals. Since the mission was founded by Mr. Roddy Cooper—in his garage and a small warehouse—it’s grown to serve hundreds of families throughout the year in a faith-based environment.
“Roddy Cooper is a friend of mine, and I remember when he started the nonprofit out of his garage. They’ve helped a lot of people over the years, and it’s all from the fact that Roddy Cooper had a dream and a vision.”
Bobby Humphrey, Vice President, Business Development, Bryant Bank
Oak Mountain Mission has now grown into their current Pelham location, which has food pantries and refrigerators, rooms for clothing, a warehouse and a prayer room.
GET INVOLVED: Volunteer or become a part of The Oak Mountain Mission Auxiliary and help serve the community.
2. Red Mountain Grace
(Red Mountain Grace)
When out-of-town patients and caregivers come to Birmingham for extended medical stays, it can be difficult finding housing during such an overwhelming time. That’s where Red Mountain Grace steps in. With 20 apartments, they provide clean and comfortable stays. Since their founding in 2013, they’ve welcomed over 1,000 families to their apartments.
GET INVOLVED: Become an apartment adopter to help Red Mountain Grace’s mission.
3. Central Food Bank
In 2022, Community Food Bank of Central Alabama celebrated 40 years of feeding Birmingham and 12 counties in Central Alabama. Over the years, their mission has taken a deep dive into finding and addressing the root causes of hunger. By partnering with over 230 organizations across the region, they provide services that you might not typically think of—from providing seniors with fresh groceries to making sure little bellies are full during school breaks.
Bobby Humphrey has fond memories of the times he’s volunteered at the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama with Bryant Bank.
“We set a record with unpacking and boxing food the time I went. We had 12 palettes that we stocked, so we were pretty excited about that.”
Bobby Humphrey, Vice President, Business Development, Bryant Bank
GET INVOLVED: Volunteering with Community Food Bank of Central Alabama is a rewarding experience for everyone. If you’re looking for even more ways to help, you can start a food or fund drive.
Turning Banking into Thanking
What do these three nonprofits have in common? They all hold a special place in the hearts of those at Bryant Bank—especially this year. Each fall, Bryant Bank employees nominate nonprofit organizations that have made a significant impact on their communities. These nominations often come from Bryant Bankers who have a personal investment in the organization and volunteered with them in the past.
Once the nominations are received and the selections are made, the bankers work closely with the selected nonprofits to organize donations or service projects during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.
In its seventh year, the name of this special initiative, “Turning Banking into Thanking” speaks to the overall mission—extending a heartfelt “Thank you” to the local nonprofit organizations. Plus, it gives them a platform to tell their stories on how they serve their community. After the project has concluded, Bryant Bank creates a magazine-style newsletter and makes it available to their customers, to better tell the stories of these great organizations.
“We’re incredibly thankful to have the reach we do with a phenomenal group of customers across the state of Alabama.
It’s important we use the resources that we have to shed light on the nonprofits in our state who have needs all year long—not just the holidays—and help promote the work they do, especially those with limited promotional resources.”
Michelle Smart, Director of Marketing, Bryant Bank
Bobby Humphrey, former Alabama football player and now Vice President of Business Development at Bryant Bank, emphasizes how much this yearly campaign means to Bryant Bankers.
“Especially with organizations who really don’t see it coming, when we present a check, the thanks and gratitude are so overwhelming. It makes you want to break down.”
Bobby Humphrey, Vice President, Business Development, Bryant Bank
Humphrey spoke of how something like Turning Banking into Thanking is in line with founder Mr. Bryant’s vision for the bank.
“I think this is something Mr. Bryant envisioned of what he wanted a bank to be. We’re just excited to be a part of making that vision come to life. It really is more blessed to give than it is to receive.”
Bobby Humphrey, Vice President, Business Development, Bryant Bank
Find out more about the Bryant Bank Way, which includes Turning Banking into Thanking.
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