When the pandemic forced organizations to scale back operations to slow the spread of the disease, it did little to stop philanthropic activity among businesses as the community needed resources to assist those in need.
Cincinnati-based First Financial Bank, which operations numerous locations across Northwest Indiana, reported in 2020 that the bank donated more than $3.5 million to assorted causes and employees provided more than 8,900 hours of community service.
This included $117,000 in contributions and 379 volunteer hours to Region organizations, the bank said. Many Northwest Indiana organizations were assisted including: Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, Girls on the Run, Northwest Indiana Reinvestment Alliance, Northwest Indiana Community Action, Meals on Wheels, Lake Area United Way, Tradewinds, Junior Achievement of Northwest Indiana, Urban League of Northwest Indiana and the Jasper Newton Foundation.
“We are proud to be making a positive difference in our communities, especially in light of the struggles we all shared last year,” said Roddell McCullough, director of community development for First Financial Bank. “Our strategic intent is to be woven into the communities we serve (and) in 2020 and continuing into this year, we are working to understand the needs of our clients and communities so we can offer financial resources to help make lives better.”
Volunteering required a different approach because of COVID-19. The need for social distancing and limitations on available in-person volunteer opportunities created some hurdles but bank employees volunteered virtually where possible, allowing them to help organizations outside of their immediate neighborhoods, according to the bank.
First Financial Bancorp. parent of First Financial, has more than $14 billion in assets and operates 158 branches across Ohio, Indiana, including several in Northwest Indiana, and Kentucky.
