Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Awards $45,000 to Community Partnership Projects

last updated on Monday, July 29, 2019 in Community News

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) announced seven community projects will receive a total of $45,000 as Strong Communities Award winners and finalists in 2019.

This year, two projects were selected as winners through a public vote for the top $15,000 award, while the remaining finalists were each given $3,000. The winning projects are being recognized for their support of economic development and housing needs in their communities. Applicants eligible for the awards came from nominations throughout the FHLB Des Moines district, consisting of 13 states and three U.S. Pacific territories.

“It is an honor for me to recognize these outstanding projects and this year’s winners,” said Mike Wilson, president and chief executive officer, FHLB Des Moines. “We hope these awards will enable them to continue the important work they do for their communities.”

First National Bank Alaska was selected as the winner of the urban category and will receive $15,000 for its support of an affordable housing project, Path to Independence.

Peoples Bank and Trust was chosen as the winner of the rural category and will receive $15,000 to further the efforts of Bread for Life Food Pantry in Troy, MO.

Additionally, project finalists from Minnesota, Missouri, Hawaii, and Iowa were each awarded $3,000 to support their community, small business, and housing projects.

The Strong Communities Award honors the projects, people, and programs that promote small business growth, affordable housing, and community development in their communities.

A full list of winners and finalists, including a description of the projects they support is below.

Urban Category

  • First National Bank Alaska (Anchorage, Alaska)
    • Supported the Path to Independence project, an affordable housing initiative aimed to help end the cycle of homelessness.
  • Sunrise Banks (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
    • Worked with community partners to provide affordable housing and services to address community displacement and homelessness.
  • Enterprise Bank and Trust/Midwest BankCentre (St. Louis, Missouri)
    • Supported Beyond Housing’s community revitalization efforts.
  • First Federal Bank of Kansas City (Kansas City, Missouri)
    • Supported reStart, the largest homeless service provider in Kansas City, which is focused on quality programming for homeless veterans.

Rural Category

  • Peoples Bank and Trust (Troy, Missouri)
    • Supported Bread for Life Food Pantry, providing weekly food distribution to residents in need.
  • Farmers Savings Bank (Marshalltown, Iowa)
    • Worked with the Marshall Economic Development to provide interest-free loan deferred-payment micro-loan program to small businesses affected by a devastating tornado in 2018 in Marshalltown, Iowa.
  • Central Pacific Bank (Wai’anae, Hawaii)
    • Collaborated with MA’O Organic Farms and Kamehameha Schools to create jobs and provide locally grown organic produce to the community.

For more information on the FHLB Des Moines Strong Communities Award, visit www.fhlbdm.com/award.

  1. Strong Communities Award