BEST PRACTICES/DONATIONS
UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES BANKING ON
BUSINESSES TO HELP WIPE OUT HUNGER
More than 12% of Florida residents are facing food insecurity,
according to Feeding America. This means the chances are
high that you know someone suffering from food scarcity, even
if you don’t realize it. More than 2.5 million Floridians live in
households without consistent access to food and more than
700,000 are children.
Taking a closer look at the Treasure Coast, Indian River and
St. Lucie counties share even higher rates of insecurity than the
state average and the prevalence among children is significantly
greater at more than 22%.
Hunger is complex and exacerbates other issues faced by
underserved communities. Estimates show that hunger results
in more than $4 billion of additional annual healthcare costs
for Florida, and more than $126 million on the Treasure Coast,
through increased illness and decreased academic achievement.
Food insecurity is a compounding issue, creating ripple
effects that weaken the labor force and limit the academic
potential of children. Yet, as the pandemic continues, hunger
relief organizations in the Treasure Coast and across the country
are facing ongoing challenges that have made it increasingly
difficult to address this issue, such as increased demand for
their services and rising food prices.
As members of the Treasure Coast community, it’s important
that local business leaders are aware of vital organizations like
the Treasure Coast Food Bank, that are lifelines to residents who
may not know where their next meal is coming from.
Solutions exist to bridge the hunger gap, including
community cohorts, school programs, and awareness campaigns
to connect those in need to available resources, but programs
like these need financial support — estimates indicate more than
$1.4 billion more per year is needed to adequately meet food
needs in Florida.
While the magnitude of need and funding requirements
may seem daunting, they are surmountable when people work
together. Supporting health and wellness has always been part
of Bank of America’s commitment to the communities it serves.
Bank officials are happy to share that the Treasure Coast Food
Bank has received $25,000 in honor of their employees who
shared that they have received a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot.
Nationally, the bank has committed $10.6 million in donations to
local food banks.
The impact of the donations is sizable, meaning that its booster
donations will provide thousands of meals to Treasure Coast residents
across the three counties Bank of America serves. The bank
has been a longtime partner of the Treasure Coast Food Bank,
donating more than $265,000 to the organization and participating
in volunteer efforts, including warehouse sorting and packing
as well as Better Money Habits presentations.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Bank of America has also
provided support across the region to the hunger relief efforts
of House of Hope, Sarah’s Kitchen of the Treasure Coast, and the
Council on Aging of Martin County.
Furthermore, the bank donated 398,000 masks, 1,122 hand
sanitizers, 202,000 pairs of gloves and other PPE equipment
to help local nonprofits address critical issues affecting the
community beyond food insecurity.
Today the financial institution applauds its employees who
participated in its shared commitment to protect and serve
their communities. It also encourages the Treasure Coast’s
business community to find ways to support both employee and
community wellness. We all win when we work together to create
a better tomorrow for Florida today.
26 TCBusiness.com
Tammy Matthew has worked
in the financial services
industry for more than 25
years. In her role as the
market executive for Bank
of America, she leads the
market’s business, civic and
philanthropic activities and
oversees the bank’s business
engagement and growth on
the Treasure Coast.
TAMMY MATTHEW
Market Executive,
Bank of America Treasure Coast
BANK OFFICIALS ARE HAPPY TO SHARE
THAT THE TREASURE COAST FOOD BANK
HAS RECEIVED $25,000 IN HONOR
OF THEIR EMPLOYEES WHO SHARED THAT
THEY HAVE RECEIVED A COVID-19 VACCINE
BOOSTER SHOT. NATIONALLY, THE BANK
HAS COMMITTED $10.6 MILLION IN
DONATIONS TO LOCAL FOOD BANKS.
/TCBusiness.com