For Release: Immediate
Contacts: Tamara Richardson, Action Ministries, 678-280-4161, [email protected] Janet Brewer, United Community Bank, 678-342-7242, [email protected]
United Community Bank Partners with Action Ministries to Provide Hunger Relief for Food-Insecure Children
COVINGTON (Nov. 15, 2016) – Six branches of United Community Bank will partner during the holiday season with Action Ministries to support the nonprofit’s SuperPack weekend feeding program for the 1 million children in Georgia who are eligible to receive free or reduced-priced meals at school. The SuperPack program ensures that these children are fed on weekends, when they lose access to school meals.
Unlike other feeding programs, Action Ministries works with school social workers at partnering schools to slip the food discreetly into the backpacks of those in need, getting the food directly to children. Each SuperPack holds enough food for up to six meals, which can be easily prepared by a child. In November and December, customers and supporters can visit participating United Community Bank branches to donate $5 for a SuperPack that will feed a child for two days. At each of the six participating branches – in Covington, Conyers, Stockbridge, Locust Grove and McDonough – associates will be helping customers learn about the program and how their $5 donation builds a SuperPack containing staples and nonperishables for a child in need. People can also donate online or via text message.
“Action Ministries is honored that United Community Bank is partnering with us on this campaign, said Tamara Richardson, regional director at Action Ministries Piedmont. “We are serving hundreds of school-aged children each week in Newton alone with SuperPacks. This campaign will be the springboard to begin to serve additional children in Rockdale County and is the pilot to introduce SuperPacks to the Henry County community. Monies raised in each county will remain in that county to serve its respective children.”
People do not have to be United Community Bank customers to participate. Anyone can give by visiting one of the six branches in Newton, Henry or Rockdale counties or by donating online at www.actionministries.net/donate or by texting BAGIT to 80888, which will add a one-time $10 donation to the donor’s cell phone bill. Data rates may apply.
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About Action Ministries Action Ministries, Inc. is a nonprofit that provides an extensive network of community partners and volunteers with the tools and expertise to lead fellow Georgians out of poverty. By meeting basic needs of hunger relief, housing and education, Action Ministries removes barriers that prevent thousands of Georgians from breaking the cycle of poverty and realizing their potential. Last year, more than 100,000 people were served and many more lives changed by Action Ministries; however, according to the U.S. census, Georgia has the ninth highest poverty rate in the country and the need for services and support are much greater. For more information, visit www.actionministries.net or www.facebook.com/ActionMinistriesGeorgia.
About United Community Bank
United Community Bank is one of the Southeast's largest full-service banks, operating more than 135 offices in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The bank specializes in personalized community banking services for individuals, small businesses and corporations. Services include a full range of consumer and commercial banking services including mortgage, advisory and treasury management. United Community Bank is consistently recognized for its outstanding customer service by respected national research firms. In 2016, United Community Bank was ranked first in customer satisfaction in the southeast by J.D. Power for the third consecutive year, and again in 2016 was ranked among the top 100 on the Forbes list of America's Best Banks. Additional information about the company and the bank's full range of products and services can be found at www.ucbi.com.