VERO BEACH — When Austin Hunt, Co-Founder and CEO of Harvest Food & Outreach Center, was first introduced to Seacoast National Bank, the organization was approaching the bank for a sponsorship opportunity for the annual Thanksgiving Day “Trot for Hunger” walk/run event. What began as a sponsorship opportunity for the bank has developed into a company-wide commitment that has brought added value to the nonprofit organization.
Over the past year, Seacoast employees have volunteered to work at special events and teach Fraud Prevention and Financial Fitness seminars for the nonprofit organization’s clients, who are required to attend life skills education and job preparedness training as part of the Center’s “Passport to Prosperity” program.
Last fall, Seacoast named Harvest Food & Outreach Center as the recipient of thousands of pounds food donations that were gathered in Indian River County during the bank’s 2010 Food for Families program. Additionally, Seacoast was recently named a “Hope Giver” as a result of the bank’s five-year pledge commitment to support the Center’s educational programs and hunger relief services.
“Seacoast has become a community partner and advocate for our mission to provide a bridge out of poverty for the working poor and unemployed in our community,” explained Hunt. “As a result of their commitment, we eventually became a banking customer. As a nonprofit organization it is essential that we do business with a bank that is aligned with our commitment to improve the quality of life in our community and understands both our fiscal and philosophical goals.”
Harvest Food & Outreach Center is the only local nonprofit organization to provide families with both emergency food supplies and the opportunity to purchase highly subsidized groceries (including hygiene products) six days a week. Additionally, its holistic Passport to Prosperity model incorporates a multi-pronged approach that breaks the cycle of poverty by offering: 1) immediate hunger relief, 2) stabilizing crisis situations, 3) multiplying client purchasing power for food and hygiene items, 4) restoring dignity, self-respect, and a sense of personal responsibility, and 5) establishing self-sufficiency for its clients.
Seacoast National Bank is the operating arm of Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida (NASDAQ: SBCF). With over $2.0 billion in assets and 39 branches from Orlando to Palm Beach Gardens and south central Florida, it is one of the largest community banks headquartered in Florida.
For more information please visit SeacoastNational.com.
