12 MAY / JUNE 2020 Fifth Third Bank, Cincinnati, committed $8.75 million to help address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including $3.25 million for COVID-19 response needs in the regions served by Fifth Third Bank and $5.5 million in “Strengthening our Communities Fund” grants to support the long-term sustainability of the economy. First Federal Bank of the Midwest, Defiance (OH), made a $100,000 commitment from the Charitable Foundation to help local nonprofit partners address the challenges faced from the COVID-19 global pandemic. The funds will support organizations which are focused on providing medical supplies, food and other critical health-related essentials to the elderly. In addition, the bank has also donated 2,000 N95 masks to the Defiance County Emergency Management Agency. The masks were from inventory that First Federal Bank had in storage locally in Defiance. First Federal Savings Bank, Huntington, committed a total of $50,000 to the counties of Huntington, Allen and Kosciusko to be used to support families in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds will be distributed with the help of the local United Ways, community foundations and social service agencies. The bank also provides lunch to employees at all six offices from local restaurants once per week. First Financial Bank, Cincinnati, is contributing $1 million to help fund COVID-19 relief efforts in their communities. The contribution will put funds in the hands of agencies actively working throughout communities, such as United Way, United Fund, and other community agencies also managing COVID-19 relief efforts. First Harrison Bank, Corydon, established a $2,000 “tab” in conjunction with a local real estate company that can be utilized by local hospital staff, first responders and other essential personnel to use for their lunches. The restaurant is also giving a 20% discount on these orders. The bank also orders food three days a week for staff from local restaurants. First Savings Bank, Clarksville, has bought lunch for its branch offices from a local restaurant every Friday since March 17 to support local businesses. In addition, it has handed out over 2,000 hand sanitizers to customers in the drive-through and has provided food for several essential businesses including Harrison County Hospital, Baptist Health Floyd, Clark Memorial Hospital, Greentree Pet Center, ACE Hardware, Ketcham Memorial Center and Lafayette Township Volunteer Fire Department. Employee volunteer work includes making scrub hats for healthcare workers and stocking shelves at a local store. First State Bank of Middlebury donated a truckload of snacks to healthcare workers at a local hospital. The vending company from which the snacks were purchased matched the donation. Additionally, to accommodate the local Amish population, the bank set up a table in the drive-through for walk-up customers to make calculations and/or fill out a ticket. Several employees from German American Bank, Jasper, sewed masks for local hospitals. Other employees have assisted with filling backpacks with food for children no longer getting meals in school. Home Bank, Martinsville, provided 175 pizzas for workers at IU Health Morgan in Martinsville. They responded, “Thank you so much for all of the pizza! We, at IU Health Morgan, appreciate you all at Home Bank.” Hoosier Heartland State Bank, Crawfordsville, purchased lunch for the local Montgomery County Health Department. It also has participated in the social distancingA Community State Bank, Brook, employee hands a pizza to a drive-through customer. Andrew Briggs (right), first senior vice president of business development for Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Archbold (OH), presents a donation of N95 masks to a local hospital. Angela Eppard (left) and Emma Davidson of First Federal Savings Bank, Huntington, pose with cupcakes purchased by the bank from a local bakery. Harrison County Hospital employees pose with meals donated by First Savings Bank, Clarksville. Continued on facing page.
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