As COVID-19 hit Illinois in early 2020, Marquette Bank was able to organize relief efforts for its surrounding communities. Through the efforts of the Marquette Neighborhood Commitment, and employee-driven initiative since 2008, the bank has been strengthening local communities in the form of shelter, education, hunger, health and wellness. As of late, there was one need that stood out more than all others–hunger.
Marquette Bank was able to help its local communities with food assistance. Along with purchasing meals and gift cards from local restaurant business customers to give to its employees and local first responders, the bank was also able to create COVID-Safe Mobile Food Pantries for people in the south suburbs of Chicago.
These Mobile Food Pantries were able to take place outside as drive-up assembly lines. Families in need were able to stay safe in their cars while outdoor volunteers placed food boxes in the family’s car trunks and back seats. The employee volunteers wore masks, gloves and stayed socially distant as much as possible. The bank was able to help over 3,000 families in need through their innovative series of Mobile Food Pantries.
Each Mobile Food Pantry lasted two hours, and allotting for set-up time, allowed employees to volunteer more than 19 hours. A total of 78 employee-volunteers ran the six food pantry events for a total of almost 250 volunteer hours.
For their incredible efforts, Marquette Bank has been awarded a 2021 ABA Foundation Community Commitment Award. This award recognizes and promotes the many valuable ways banks of all sizes contribute to economic growth, community development and enhancing the quality of life in their communities—and is a true badge of honor for any bank to earn.
