First National Bank in Trinidad has launched its 22nd annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, the bank announced, and is accepting cash donations at all of its local branches through Friday, Nov. 14. Funds collected in the drive are designated to support local families for the holiday, and the bank is appealing to the community to contribute again this year.

The campaign marks more than two decades of community-focused fundraising by a private financial institution based in the county seat. By concentrating on cash donations collected at branch locations, the drive relies on local customers and residents to provide flexible funding that can be used to purchase groceries, turkeys, or other necessities for families during the Thanksgiving period.

For Las Animas County, where services and resources are more thinly spread than in urban areas, community-led drives like this one play a visible role in meeting immediate needs around the holidays. The drive also offers an opportunity for residents to engage directly with a longstanding community partner; branches serve as accessible collection points across Trinidad and nearby neighborhoods, making it straightforward for local donors to participate before the mid-November deadline.

Beyond the immediate benefit of holiday meals, the bank’s drive raises broader policy and governance questions about how local needs are met. When private institutions step in to fund holiday assistance, it can reduce short-term hardship for households, but it also highlights the continued demand for coordinated social services. Policymakers and county officials may view these campaigns as a complement to public assistance programs while considering whether additional investments in food security or year-round support services are needed to reduce reliance on seasonal drives.

Transparency and coordination can strengthen the impact of such efforts. Clear reporting on how funds are translated into food assistance, and collaboration between banks, non-profits, and county agencies can improve distribution efficiency and ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable residents. For local civic leaders and residents, participation in the drive is a form of civic engagement that addresses immediate needs while signaling community priorities.

Residents who wish to support the drive are being directed to donate cash at any First National Bank branch in Trinidad before the Nov. 14 cutoff. As the holiday approaches, the bank’s campaign will serve as an annual barometer of local philanthropic response and community solidarity in Las Animas County.