See accompanying photo
SOUTHERN PINES,
N.C., May 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- First Bank
launched its unique Power of Good Grants by awarding 20 grants,
totaling over $130,000, to
organizations throughout the Carolinas. The first set of awards,
with more to come, are a component of the Power of Good initiative,
First Bank's corporate citizenship program that steers the
organization's philanthropic efforts and volunteerism. The Power of
Good focuses on the key areas of affordable housing, food
scarcity/insecurity, education and health & wellness. In
addition to the grants, the Power of Good encompasses paid
volunteer time off and company-matched donations for each
associate, the First Bank Book Club, the annual "Out of This World
Educator" Awards, Good Deeds Week, Teach Children to Save financial
education, multiple housing programs through Habitat for
Humanities, and more.
First Bank received nearly 200 applications and a diverse team
of reviewers conscientiously evaluated each one. The decision was
extremely difficult, but ultimately the following organizations
were awarded funds:
From Western North
Carolina
- Homeward Bound of WNC
- Children & Family Resource Center
- Sandy Mush Community Center
- Arms Around ASD
From Central North
Carolina
- Community Housing Solutions
- Chatham County Arts Council
- NeighborHealth Center
- Home Solutions of Davidson
County
- Montgomery County Schools –
supporting their Book Bus program
- The Craven Apiary Foundation
- Star Elementary – to help purchase new playground equipment for
their school & the Star community
From Eastern North
Carolina
- 3HC Home Health & Hospice Care Inc.
- Innovation Early College High School – to help supply their
clothing & personal hygiene product closet for their
students
- Hope of Glory Ministries
- Northside Food Cooperative
From South Carolina
- House of Hope of the Pee Dee
- Lucy T. Davis Elementary School
– two teachers whose projects include a Robotics Revolution program
& a Comfy Space to Read in the classroom
- Project Hope Foundation
- Greer Community Ministries
- Lighthouse Ministries
"First Bank firmly believes that the success of our company is
directly tied to the wellness of our community. We think giving to
these hyperlocal organizations and groups that are instrumental in
shaping and supporting that wellness is a good investment. I am
extremely proud that First Bank and its associates make such an
effort to give back to the communities where we live and work and
want to continue doing so as long as we can," said Mike Mayer, First Bank CEO.
Between 2022 and the first part of 2024 First Bank has donated
nearly $1.5million to various
organizations and individuals making a difference in communities
around the Carolinas. The announcement of the grant recipients
coincides with the bank's recent accolades including being named
Best Bank by Cary Magazine and a BEST Employer in the Triad area by
Triad Business Journal. Furthermore, our associates and others
engaged in over 100 "good deeds" for Good Deeds Week observed from
April 18-26, 2024.
Grant applications for Round 2 winners are now being considered
(winners announced in early July), and Round 3 applications are now
being accepted and will be awarded in early fall. Each is reviewed
by a panel of First Bank associates as well as community
stakeholders. For official information about the grant application
and process please visit
https://localfirstbank.com/power-of-good-grants/
About us:
First Bank is the banking subsidiary of First Bancorp and is
headquartered in Southern Pines, North
Carolina, with total assets of approximately $12.1 billion. As a state-chartered community
bank, First Bank operates 118 bank branches in North Carolina and South Carolina. Since 1935, First Bank has
taken a tailored approach to banking, combining best-in-class
financial solutions, helpful local expertise, and technology to
manage a home or business. First Bancorp's common stock is traded
on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FBNC." Visit
our website at www.LocalFirstBank.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing
Lender.
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SOURCE First Bank