Every April, we celebrate Community Banking Month by publicizing the efforts that community banks make to serve the people and businesses around them. In our first of four articles for this year’s Community Banking Month series, we showcase the spirit of giving back through charitable efforts.
Filling Kids’ Backpacks with Food
In 2019, some employees at the Bank of Charles Town in West Virginia learned that there were thousands of children and families in their primary markets who were food-insecure. This was surprising, given that these market areas are among the wealthiest in the country. Bank employees responded by organizing a two-month fundraising campaign to fill students’ backpacks every Friday with a weekend’s worth of food. Otherwise, some of these students might not eat all weekend long.Last year, the campaign — which is called BCTCares Pack the ‘Pack — raised $90K to help fill kids’ backpacks with food. Since inception, it has raised and distributed more than $440K to help feed food-insecure children and families.Supporting Youth Initiatives
Employees of BTC Bank in Bethany, MO have created a nonprofit organization called BTC Area Youth Benefit Corp (BTC AYBC) to support youth initiatives in their local community. In 2024, the nonprofit’s Funding Futures Campaign pledged more than $58K to support the BTC AYBC’s mission of supporting kids in the community. By investing in youth today, BTC AYBC is inspiring them to build their futures in the hometowns that supported them. This will continue the cycle of strong, connected communities for generations to come.Denim Days: A Twist on Casual Friday
Central Bank Illinois, located in Geneseo, has put a charitable twist on casual Friday. The last Fridays of each month are referred to as Denim Days when employees can wear jeans to work in exchange for making a charitable donation. Each branch selects which charitable organization will receive its donation. Denim Days not only provide vital support to local charities, but they also foster a spirit of community engagement and generosity among employees.Creating a Ripple Effect of Compassion
First Federal Bank in Lake City, FL, has a legacy of giving back to the community. For more than 60 years, the bank has been committed to building stronger communities, uplifting those in need, and creating a ripple effect of compassion through continuous charitable efforts. The bank makes direct community contributions while employees make donations via an employee matching program. In addition, a percentage of each debit card transaction is donated to charity.Employees are known for volunteering their personal time, as well as one paid day off per year, to serve with local nonprofit organizations. Giving is not just a seasonal act at First Federal Bank — it is an integral part of the bank’s identity and culture.Triple Match Program Amplifies Donations’ Impact
Since 1990, Billings, MT-based First Interstate Bank and the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation have invested more than $94MM in the local communities the bank serves. Donations and grants topped $7MM in 2024 alone, helping nearly 3.5K nonprofit organizations meet urgent community needs.The bank leveraged the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines’ triple match granting program to amplify the impact of its donations, investing more than $3.4MM in nonprofits across four states. On the bank’s annual Volunteer Day in 2024, employees logged 11,410 hours in service to 428 organizations across the bank’s footprint. In addition, First Interstate Bank matches employees’ charitable donations and contributes 2% of its net income to charity.Rolling Up Sleeves for Transformative Projects
Marshfield, WI-based Forward Bank believes that true community support goes beyond financial contributions to rolling up your sleeves and working alongside neighbors to bring transformative projects to life. Employees don’t just support community initiatives — they lead them.For example, Agency Director-Business Development Allie Plessner leveraged her leadership and strategic skills to help bring a YMCA to her community, turning an idea into reality. Vice President and Commercial Lender Jessica Frahm was a driving force behind the Progress Athens Foundation that will provide long-term resources for local initiatives. Vice President and Senior Commercial Lender Molly Knoll played a key role in bringing The REC Center to life in Medford to foster health, wellness, and community connection.
Shredding Event Funds Local Food Banks
Five years ago, Kitsap Bank in Port Orchard, WA created a unique fundraising event called “From Shred to Fed” to raise money for local food banks. Throughout September and October, the bank invites the community to bring sensitive documents to various branches for secure destruction. While there, individuals can make a donation to a food bank.This unique event raised more than $43K for 10 food banks in 2024. Since inception, it has generated more than $110K while raising awareness of food insecurity right in many peoples’ backyards.Bank Closes So Employees Can Volunteer
On October 8, 2024, Iowa City, Iowa-based MidWestOne Bank launched its first annual MidWestOne Community Day. The bank closed for the afternoon so all employees could volunteer with local charities for up to four hours. A total of 636 employees participated at 59 different nonprofit organizations. The total number of volunteer hours topped 2,140. Community Day will take place each October.Walking the Walk to Support Alzheimer’s Research
Toledo, Ohio-based Waterford Bank, N.A. champions many community outreach efforts, but employees have really gotten behind the Alzheimer’s Association over the past year. In the summer, the bank held a bake sale fundraiser paired with an Alzheimer’s Lunch & Learn to educate employees about dementia awareness.This was followed by a 50/50 raffle on the bank’s anniversary to celebrate both the bank’s history and commitment to supporting causes that matter. The Alzheimer’s Association honored the bank as the Kick-Off Team for the annual Toledo Walk, where employees led thousands of participants across the starting line, strengthening the bank’s role as a community banking leader that truly “walks the walk.”
Over One Million Acts of Kindness
First United Bank’s purpose is to share with customers, employees, and communities how to “Spend Life Wisely.” Five years ago, the Dallas, Texas, branch created a United Acts of Kindness Day for the community to come together to spread joy, hope, and love to friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. This was expanded to the entire bank footprint across Oklahoma and Texas the next year. The 2024 goal was for one million specific acts of kindness to be delivered to individuals, businesses, and public servants. This goal was exceeded with a total of 1,129,726 acts of kindness delivered.We are honored to present the stories of these banks, filled with staff whose big hearts are so dedicated to making a difference for those around them. In our second Community Banking Month article next Thursday, we will focus on community banks that are unwrapping new technology and fresh strategies to build stronger relationships with customers and meet their evolving needs.
Filling Kids’ Backpacks with Food
In 2019, some employees at the Bank of Charles Town in West Virginia learned that there were thousands of children and families in their primary markets who were food-insecure. This was surprising, given that these market areas are among the wealthiest in the country. Bank employees responded by organizing a two-month fundraising campaign to fill students’ backpacks every Friday with a weekend’s worth of food. Otherwise, some of these students might not eat all weekend long.Last year, the campaign — which is called BCTCares Pack the ‘Pack — raised $90K to help fill kids’ backpacks with food. Since inception, it has raised and distributed more than $440K to help feed food-insecure children and families.Supporting Youth Initiatives
Employees of BTC Bank in Bethany, MO have created a nonprofit organization called BTC Area Youth Benefit Corp (BTC AYBC) to support youth initiatives in their local community. In 2024, the nonprofit’s Funding Futures Campaign pledged more than $58K to support the BTC AYBC’s mission of supporting kids in the community. By investing in youth today, BTC AYBC is inspiring them to build their futures in the hometowns that supported them. This will continue the cycle of strong, connected communities for generations to come.Denim Days: A Twist on Casual Friday
Central Bank Illinois, located in Geneseo, has put a charitable twist on casual Friday. The last Fridays of each month are referred to as Denim Days when employees can wear jeans to work in exchange for making a charitable donation. Each branch selects which charitable organization will receive its donation. Denim Days not only provide vital support to local charities, but they also foster a spirit of community engagement and generosity among employees.Creating a Ripple Effect of Compassion
First Federal Bank in Lake City, FL, has a legacy of giving back to the community. For more than 60 years, the bank has been committed to building stronger communities, uplifting those in need, and creating a ripple effect of compassion through continuous charitable efforts. The bank makes direct community contributions while employees make donations via an employee matching program. In addition, a percentage of each debit card transaction is donated to charity.Employees are known for volunteering their personal time, as well as one paid day off per year, to serve with local nonprofit organizations. Giving is not just a seasonal act at First Federal Bank — it is an integral part of the bank’s identity and culture.Triple Match Program Amplifies Donations’ Impact
Since 1990, Billings, MT-based First Interstate Bank and the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation have invested more than $94MM in the local communities the bank serves. Donations and grants topped $7MM in 2024 alone, helping nearly 3.5K nonprofit organizations meet urgent community needs.The bank leveraged the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines’ triple match granting program to amplify the impact of its donations, investing more than $3.4MM in nonprofits across four states. On the bank’s annual Volunteer Day in 2024, employees logged 11,410 hours in service to 428 organizations across the bank’s footprint. In addition, First Interstate Bank matches employees’ charitable donations and contributes 2% of its net income to charity.Rolling Up Sleeves for Transformative Projects
Marshfield, WI-based Forward Bank believes that true community support goes beyond financial contributions to rolling up your sleeves and working alongside neighbors to bring transformative projects to life. Employees don’t just support community initiatives — they lead them.For example, Agency Director-Business Development Allie Plessner leveraged her leadership and strategic skills to help bring a YMCA to her community, turning an idea into reality. Vice President and Commercial Lender Jessica Frahm was a driving force behind the Progress Athens Foundation that will provide long-term resources for local initiatives. Vice President and Senior Commercial Lender Molly Knoll played a key role in bringing The REC Center to life in Medford to foster health, wellness, and community connection.
Shredding Event Funds Local Food Banks
Five years ago, Kitsap Bank in Port Orchard, WA created a unique fundraising event called “From Shred to Fed” to raise money for local food banks. Throughout September and October, the bank invites the community to bring sensitive documents to various branches for secure destruction. While there, individuals can make a donation to a food bank.This unique event raised more than $43K for 10 food banks in 2024. Since inception, it has generated more than $110K while raising awareness of food insecurity right in many peoples’ backyards.Bank Closes So Employees Can Volunteer
On October 8, 2024, Iowa City, Iowa-based MidWestOne Bank launched its first annual MidWestOne Community Day. The bank closed for the afternoon so all employees could volunteer with local charities for up to four hours. A total of 636 employees participated at 59 different nonprofit organizations. The total number of volunteer hours topped 2,140. Community Day will take place each October.Walking the Walk to Support Alzheimer’s Research
Toledo, Ohio-based Waterford Bank, N.A. champions many community outreach efforts, but employees have really gotten behind the Alzheimer’s Association over the past year. In the summer, the bank held a bake sale fundraiser paired with an Alzheimer’s Lunch & Learn to educate employees about dementia awareness.This was followed by a 50/50 raffle on the bank’s anniversary to celebrate both the bank’s history and commitment to supporting causes that matter. The Alzheimer’s Association honored the bank as the Kick-Off Team for the annual Toledo Walk, where employees led thousands of participants across the starting line, strengthening the bank’s role as a community banking leader that truly “walks the walk.”
Over One Million Acts of Kindness
First United Bank’s purpose is to share with customers, employees, and communities how to “Spend Life Wisely.” Five years ago, the Dallas, Texas, branch created a United Acts of Kindness Day for the community to come together to spread joy, hope, and love to friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. This was expanded to the entire bank footprint across Oklahoma and Texas the next year. The 2024 goal was for one million specific acts of kindness to be delivered to individuals, businesses, and public servants. This goal was exceeded with a total of 1,129,726 acts of kindness delivered.We are honored to present the stories of these banks, filled with staff whose big hearts are so dedicated to making a difference for those around them. In our second Community Banking Month article next Thursday, we will focus on community banks that are unwrapping new technology and fresh strategies to build stronger relationships with customers and meet their evolving needs.
