Healy Branch Manager Kevin Lundeberg (left) met with Neighbor to Neighbor board member Barb Walters to donate 25 packets that included supplies to take showers and wash clothes as well as enough tokens for the equivalent of 100 showers to help neighbors in need as part of the bank’s Centennial Giving Today, Shaping Tomorrow project.
First National Bank Alaska is giving today to shape a brighter tomorrow
ALASKA – First National Bank Alaska, which opened in 1922, is marking a century of business by investing in the success of Alaskans for the next 100 years and beyond. As part of the centennial celebrations in 2022, each of the bank’s branches will make a meaningful donation to a local community organization and help shape a brighter tomorrow for all Alaskans.
Recently, First National’s Kodiak Branch donated $1,000 to Kodiak Women’s Resource & Crisis Center (KWRCC) to help purchase supplies for the nonprofit’s Shelter Program and make day-to-day living more manageable and comfortable for families staying at the shelter.
KWRCC supports victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Kodiak Island and surrounding communities. They provide resources and crisis services, including a 24-hour crisis line and a 25-bed emergency shelter.
“Many people who need our services are experiencing homelessness due to unsafe living situations and have little to no income. This donation will help improve lives for struggling Alaskans and help them reach a place of stability,” said KWRCC Executive Director Rebecca Shields.
Healy Branch donated 100 shower tokens along with 25 supply kits to Neighbor to Neighbor. The only food bank serving the Denali Borough, Neighbor to Neighbor provides critical support to individuals and families in need. Based out of Healy, they provide food and other emergency support across the borough’s nearly 13,000 square miles. The donated supply kits include shampoo, soap, laundry soap, reusable bags, washcloths, and more.
“These tokens and supplies give our neighbors access to basic resources,” said Neighbor to Neighbor board member Barb Walters. Increased access to showers has been linked to lower rates of infectious diseases, preserving health and restoring dignity.
Seward Branch donated $2,500 to SeaView Community Services to purchase backpacks and supplies for people struggling with substance use and/or severe mental illness. Providing a full range of mental health and substance use disorder services, SeaView strengthens families, fosters self-sufficiency and enhances the quality of life for people in the Seward area. Stuffed with essential supplies such as non-perishable food, wipes, can openers, water, hygiene kits, coats, and more, the insulated backpacks will be given to clients and families through an outpatient program that helps clients navigate the challenges of daily living while recovering from mental health and substance use disorders.
“This donation will have a tremendous impact on clients who are homeless. In addition to receiving therapy services, clients will be provided items to help them function in society as they recover from substance use and mental illness,” said SeaView Chief Executive Officer Tommy Glanton.
First National has 28 locations in 19 communities across the state. Each year, First National contributes about $1 million to charities and community events in Alaska through cash and other in-kind donations. We are proud to help Alaskans overcome challenges, succeed, and thrive.
Other recent donations through First National’s Giving Today, Shaping Tomorrow program include Metro Branch to Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis, Dimond Branch to Covenant House Alaska, Kuskokwim Branch to Bethel Winter House, and Soldotna Branch to Sterling Area Senior Citizens.
Alaskan-owned and -operated since 1922, First National proudly marks its 100th year of meeting the financial needs of Alaskans. In 2021, Alaska Business readers voted the bank the “Best of Alaska Business” in the Best Place to Work category for the sixth year in a row, Best Corporate Citizen for a third year, and Best Bank/Credit Union. The same year, American Banker recognized First National as a “Best Bank to Work For” for the fourth year in a row, and Anchorage Daily News readers voted the bank one of the state’s top three financial institutions for the third year in a row in the ADN “Best of Alaska” Awards.
First National Bank Alaska is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.
Kodiak Branch Operations Supervisor Debbie Olson and Kodiak Branch Manager Mark Lonheim presented a $1,000 check to Rebecca Shields (center) of Kodiak Women’s Resource & Crisis Center as part of First National’s Giving Today, Shaping Tomorrow campaign in celebration of the bank’s Centennial.
Seward Branch Manager Melissa Schutter (left) presented the “big check” to SeaView Chief Executive Officer Tommy Glanton (center) while Personal Banker Maria Strickland holds one of the backpacks from their community support program that this donation will help fund.