To help fight hunger in Memphis, Bank of America donated $100 for each bank employee who recorded a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot in addition to a company contribution.
Memphis, Tenn. – Bank of America today announced a $25,000 donation worth 75,000 meals to Mid-South Food Bank to address food insecurity in the region. An estimated 38 million people were food insecure in the United States in 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As the pandemic continues, hunger relief organizations in Memphis and across the country are facing ongoing challenges such as increased demand for their services and rising food prices.
Bank of America is supporting its employees’ health and safety while addressing one of the local communities’ most critical needs. Earlier this year, the company announced it would make a $100 donation to local hunger relief organizations and food banks for each employee in Memphis who received a COVID-19 booster shot or vaccine and notified the bank before the end of January. The company made an additional contribution to address the increased need experienced by hunger relief organizations across the country. Since the onset of the pandemic, Bank of America has provided $125,000 in funding to Mid-South Food Bank in support of local hunger relief efforts.
Mid-South Food Bank provides food to local agencies and food distribution sites to feed children, families and seniors. With a 15.6% food insecurity rate in the Mid-South, its mission is to change lives by eliminating hunger in our region. Currently, the Mid-South Food Bank distributes an average of four million meals a month through a network of 300 partner agencies in 12 counties in West Tennessee, 18 counties in north Mississippi, and one county in Arkansas. With help from the bank’s donation, the Mid-South Food Bank is providing 75,000 meals to individuals and families throughout the Mid-South.
“Mid-South Food Bank is thankful for the partnership we have with Bank of America,” said Cathy Pope, President & CEO, Mid-South Food Bank. “As a result of the Booster Program, 75,000 meals will be provided for our neighbors in need across 31 counties. We look forward to expanding our collaboration with future efforts to eliminate hunger in the Mid-South.”
Nationally, the bank has committed $10.6 million dollars to food banks and hunger relief organizations through this effort. Since 2015, Bank of America has donated nearly $150 million toward hunger relief efforts.
“As the pandemic continues to impact Memphis, food banks and hunger relief organizations are experiencing increased demand and higher costs to meet the needs of individuals and families,” said Trevia Chatman, President, Bank of America Memphis. “Our commitment to help strengthen the communities we live in and serve is unwavering, which is why we are investing in the health, safety and wellbeing of our teammates while also providing funds to help local organizations support our neighbors and fight food insecurity.”
Bank of America committed to donating a minimum of $25,000 in each of the company’s 93 markets to local nonprofit partners as part its vaccine booster effort. Because vaccination boosters and reporting are voluntary and additional company contributions are reflected in the final amount, actual donation amounts differ from the number of boosters reported by bank employees.
The company has encouraged staff to get COVID-19 vaccinations since summer 2021 and has offered incentives such as paid time-off and $500 credits towards health benefit premiums. In partnership with local nonprofits, Bank of America has also distributed more than 38 million masks, 41,000 cases of hand sanitizer and 11 million gloves in local communities as part of its ongoing efforts to address health-related disparities accelerated by the pandemic.
About Mid-South Food Bank
Mid-South Food Bank distributes food to partner feeding programs in 31 counties in north Mississippi, west Tennessee and east Arkansas, where nearly 20 percent of the population struggles with food insecurity and hunger. In FY2020-2021, Mid-South Food Bank distributed more than 54.2 million pounds of food. Mid-South Food Bank’s Mission is to change lives by eliminating hunger in the Mid-South.
About Bank of America
At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com.