Bank of the Pacific has a rich history of community support, and recently partnered with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines’ grant program that serves vulnerable populations. With the partnership’s eight recent $10,000 impact grants awarded to area nonprofits addressing food insecurity and affordable housing, Bank of the Pacific is committed to finding innovative and impactful ways to improve the lives of people in their local communities.
Bank of the Pacific is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (Iowa). While in past years the Federal Home Loan Bank allocated funds for matching grants in other states, 2024 marked the first time the grant program extended into Washington. The nearly $9 million grant distribution in Washington this year was coordinated through 49 financial institutions, including Bank of the Pacific, providing 200 grants. Each of the eight local nonprofits received $2,500 from Bank of the Pacific plus $7,500 in matching funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank.
Bank of the Pacific CEO Denise Portmann says early this fall when they learned Washington could participate, the bank jumped on it. Charitable contributions are part of its core mission. “I thought, this is a ‘win-win,’” Portmann says. “We could be a conduit. Ten thousand dollars is significant, and the money goes right back to the agencies in the communities we serve.”
Four grants went to nonprofits tackling food insecurity, and four to those working on affordable housing efforts. Portmann says the recipients were thankful for the awards. “We are honored to play a small role of them getting access to these grants,” she adds.
Impact Grants Through Bank of the Pacific Help Food Banks Feed Hungry Children
Thurston County Food Bank president and CEO Jay Kang says that when they learned about the grant program application process, they were very thankful for Bank of the Pacific’s support. Kang adds that the $10,000 will be used for food programs feeding hungry kids. “We are actively using it for our children’s programs,” he says. “We currently serve between 1,200 and 2,000 kids every week. We need a lot of support.”
Kang says overall the food bank serves 70,000 clients, and about 49% of those are under age 16. The food bank’s programs ensure kids have access to nutritious food. The food bank provides service to families with children, and its Thrive Children’s Initiative funds several children-specific programs. “We make sure kids in our area get served,” he says. “Funding like this from Bank of the Pacific is really, really helpful.”
Bank of the Pacific’s Impact Grants Support Local Affordable Housing Initiatives
The Skagit Friendship House in Bellingham is also a recipient. The nonprofit provides services and programs for people who are homeless by empowering them towards self-sufficiency. Development Manager Jaskaran Dhatt says among other things the grant funds will be used to improve client access to services through updating the agency’s old phones.
“We still have a lot of desk phones,” Dhatt says, which creates delays in staff quickly responding to client calls, as staff are often out in the field. The agency didn’t have funds to upgrade, but the grant means they could buy agency cell phones. The improved system means staff can receive and respond to calls even when in the field, text clients and case workers, and participate more easily in remote meetings. “They will be more available to our clients, through modernizing our communication,” Dhatt explains. “It will really cut down on the wait time that people have now.”
Dhatt expects the upgrades will be complete in December 2024, which is perfect timing. “In December we open up additional beds for cold weather shelter,” he says. “We are grateful for the partnership, and grateful they are investing in our community.”
Homes First, another grant recipient, helps create and maintain safe, healthy, affordable rental homes in Thurston and Mason counties for seniors, veterans, domestic violence victims and others struggling with housing. Evette Temple, Homes First board president and chair, is also a vice president of commercial lending with Bank of the Pacific. She says she was unaware Homes First was awarded a grant until it was announced. “It was such a delightful surprise,” she says.
“It’s heartwarming that the bank wants to support our community,” Temple adds. “That $10,000 will help so much.” She says many nonprofits struggle to find sources of funding, especially over the holidays. Homes First will use the grant to help with its ongoing work that includes maintaining its housing properties.
Other grant recipients include Coastal Harvest in Hoquiam, Alternatives to Hunger in Bellingham, Skagit Valley Neighbors in Need in Mount Vernon, St. James Family Center in Cathlamet, and Lydia Place in Bellingham.
Bank of the Pacific is a community bank serving western Washington and northwestern Oregon. To learn more, visit the Bank of the Pacific website.
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