Through a community-wide donation drive spearheaded chiefly by IBC Bank, talk radio station KTSA-AM and Operation Interdependence, the premier Civilian-to-Military Delivery System® in the United States, more than 4 tons of goods and supplies were collected to benefit approximately 14,000 servicemen and women.

During the drive, all 36 of IBC’s branches throughout the greater San Antonio area served as official drop-off stations for care packages or C-rats - short for “civilian rations - from Memorial Day through July 4.

The C-rats, as they are termed by Operation Interdependence, contained toiletries, treats and a personal letter, which for some soldiers is the only communication they receive from home. In addition to San Antonio, participating communities included Schertz and New Braunfels. Accessible delivery points at IBC’s numerous seven-day branches, including 13 H-E-B in-store branches, helped make the donation drive a success.

“We are thrilled by the response that we’ve witnessed from San Antonians and members of the outlying communities,” said Steve Edlund, president and CEO of IBC Bank-San Antonio. “The level of contribution and community participation has been simply remarkable, and I’m proud that IBC Bank could help provide a convenient means for the community to come together and show support for our brave men and women in uniform as they serve our country overseas.”

The OI program aims to provide each serviceman and woman with a C-rat during each month of their deployment. For those interested in continuing to support OI, visit the organization’s Web site at www.oidelivers.org.