Celebrating Community Bank Outreach #1 — Supporting Local Causes

All April long, we celebrate Community Banking Month by spreading the word about the various kinds of outreach community bankers do. In this article, we share stories of how community banks are spearheading efforts to protect consumer privacy, feed the hungry, help stray pets, bolster tourism, and provide overall support to their communities.In western Washington last autumn, Kitsap Bank held its third annual “From Shred to Fed” event. The public received a free document shredding opportunity and a chance to donate money to local food banks. The 2022 event involved more than 100 employee volunteers and raised over $18K to feed the hungry in their community.In Lake City, Florida, First Federal Bank directs most of its donations and scholarships to local organizations that are active in education, literacy, community reinvestment and improvement, family health and welfare, and community sports.Oregon’s governor proclaimed October 17 through 21 to be Community Banking Week. Last year, from its Eugene headquarters, Summit Bank celebrated by donating more than $6K to 12 different clients and nonprofits.Summit State Bank, located in Santa Rosa, California, takes its nonprofit partner program seriously. In 2022, this bank donated $670K to 215 nonprofits. The recipient list included Petaluma Health Center, Inquiring Systems, Farm to Fight Hunger, Community Child Care Council of Sonoma County, and the Humane Society of Sonoma County. Since the program’s creation in 2009, Summit has contributed more than $3.5MM to area nonprofits.Summit State Bank also offers employees a paid day to volunteer at whatever organization they choose. Last year, the bank’s volunteers put in 902 volunteer hours. Of this bank’s 110 employees, 16 have served on the boards of local charities.Planters Bank, located in Clarksville, Tennessee, collected items that local nonprofits requested and matched each item with a monetary donation of the same value.In Fulton, New York, Fulton Savings Bank asks each branch and department to choose and sponsor a local charity. Employees give at least $5 each and can wear jeans on the day they donate, if they wish. The institution matches the funds employees donate.Seattle Bank partnered with Visit Seattle to help raise tourism revenue and make Seattle’s small businesses and diverse communities more visible, vibrant, and economically viable. Seattle Bank sponsored 20 minority-owned businesses from Seattle’s international and central districts. The sponsored firms received free access to Visit Seattle’s partnership network and leads to encourage visitors. The bank even sponsored $250 open tabs at each business, essentially giving away that much in goods and services with the goal of driving foot traffic and encouraging additional purchases.Two families will get affordable homes through the work of One Florida Bank, which is the presenting sponsor for the 2023 Women Build program for Habitat for Humanity of Seminole County and Greater Apopka. One Florida’s Community Reinvestment Act officer is the board chairperson of this particular branch of Habitat for Humanity, and seven bank officers serve on Habitat committees.Employees can wear jeans every Friday at Savings Bank of Mendocino County in Ukiah, California, when they donate to support local nonprofits. Called Casual for a Cause, the program has supported area charities to the tune of $141,305.In summer 2022, a Waterloo, Wisconsin teenager lost her life in an accident. Softball was her favorite sport to play, so Farmers & Merchants State Bank partnered with her family to sponsor new scoreboards at the local Firemen’s Park. The new boards will help keep the score as others continue playing the game she loved.United Community Bank in Perham and Frazee, Minnesota raises money every year for Honor Flight of MN/ND, which honors veterans. This year, they partnered with various food trucks. The bank matched food truck receipts and donations, ultimately giving Honor Flight $11,640.With headquarters in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, First Carolina Bank supports the American Heart Association. Employees participate in National Wear Red Day to encourage awareness about stroke and cardiovascular disease.So many lives were touched by the generous donations and efforts of these community banks, driving home the value that these institutions have for their communities. We thank our readers for sharing their stories and how their teams are embracing the true meaning of community banking. Please join us next Tuesday, April 11, as we continue to honor local banks that have made a difference.