Hortonville, WI (November 9, 2020): Wolf River Community Bank in partnership with The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago awarded Targeted Impact Fund Grants totaling $15,000 to organizations in the Fox West community and beyond. These grants were made to support relief efforts for those hardest-hit by COVID-19 and to promote equity and opportunity for communities of color.
Grants in the amount of $5,000 each were awarded to three organizations: Hortonville Community Food Pantry, Bamboo Restaurant in Appleton and Iglesia de Cristo Ministerios Elim Church in New London.
The Targeted Impact Fund Grants support populations disproportionately affected by the pandemic, including Black, Latino, American Indian, elderly, rural and low- and moderate-income communities in general. Grant recipients aligned with one or more of the Target Impact Fund Grant priorities:
· Support for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and/or Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs) to develop, grow, and/or rebuild small businesses classified as an MBE or WBE; an MBE is a business with over 50% minority ownership, and a WBE is a business with over 50% female ownership.
· Advancement of Black and Latino communities through organizations that promote a fair and inclusive society or otherwise promote equity and racial justice.
· Empowerment services for populations hardest-hit by COVID-19 including but not limited to Black, Latino, Native American, elderly, and rural communities.
· Support for affordable housing sustainability to assist low- and moderate-income households through entities that provide or promote affordable housing via rental assistance programs, housing counseling agencies, homeless services, fair housing agencies, and affordable housing projects in need of operational support.
“We are continually searching for ways we can help our community navigate through the unique challenges of the pandemic,” said Joe Peikert, President/CEO of Wolf River Community Bank. “Community is in our name because it is a part of our core values to serve those around us and care for what is entrusted to us,” said Peikert. “We can find bright spots during these times by banding together as a community.”
In addition to the grant, Wolf River Community Bank held a food drive for Hortonville Community Food Pantry in September and collected over 600 pounds in food and $850 in monetary donations.
According to Alan Gjundjek, Board President of Hortonville Community Food Pantry, there is a growing need to fight hunger because of the pandemic. “We are grateful that support from local communities and organizations like Wolf River Community Bank has increased as the battle to fight hunger has become more demanding,” said Gjundjek.
During the last few weeks in March, the pantry was delivering an average of 120 boxes of food each Wednesday. Weekly demand has increased over the last few weeks to 156 boxes of food. A total of 4,964 boxes of food have been delivered during the pandemic.
The bank is hosting another food drive November 2 through December 7 to support Hortonville Community Food Pantry and the New London Community Cupboard. The Holiday Food Drive will collect non-perishable food items, personal care items and cash donations through a contactless, drive-thru format. The bank invites the community to drop off donations at any Wolf River Community Bank branch with locations in Greenville, Hortonville, New London and Shiocton, Wisconsin.
This year, Wolf River Community Bank also supported 223 local businesses affected by COVID-19 by providing over $13 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, an initiative created by The Small Business Administration.
Beyond the COVID-19 initiatives, Wolf River Community Bank annually supports approximately 100 local non-profit organizations, events and causes through sponsorships, donations and volunteerism.
To learn more about Wolf River Community Bank’s Holiday Food Drive, visit wolfriverbank.com.
