With more than 150 branches across six states, all First Interstate Banks hosted its second annual Volunteer Day on Wednesday.
As part of the philanthropic effort, all locations closed at noon on Wednesday to allow employees paid time to volunteer in their communities.
Employees selected how to help the community, and particularly wanted to help those who are hungry and homeless.
For the second year, Great Falls branches chose to donate all proceeds to the Great Falls Public Schools (GFPS) food bank.
First Interstate Bank Vice President Kevin Johnson said, “There are a lot of homeless children that are going to the school and we’re providing the food, gathering the food for this food bank.”
Employees handed out flyers at the stores, which listed needed items and encouraging shoppers to contribute.
Johnson added, “It’s actually very moving for us. I mean it’s a sad situation when there’s many children within our community that are homeless and don’t have a place to live at all. There’s well over 500 kids within the school system right now that are homeless, that are living on the streets, that don’t have anything. This is a way for them to get some additional food. The school is helping them, getting them through the school system. We feel humbled to be able to be a part of that.”
First Interstate will be collecting items at both Walmarts and Albertsons in Great Falls along with Smith’s, Super 1 Foods and IGA through 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
