Bank of America today announced a $60,000 donation worth 180,000 meals to Three Square 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 Southern Nevada 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 community’s 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 Las Vegas 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. This most recent contribution adds to the $220,500 that Bank of America has already provided to Three Square Food Bank in support of local hunger relief efforts since the onset of the pandemic.
“… earlier this year, the company announced it would make a $100 donation to local hunger relief organizations for each employee who received a COVID-19 booster shot or vaccine…”
Following the start of COVID-19, communities in Southern Nevada experienced record levels of unemployment and food insecurity. Three Square Food Bank declares there are now more than 363,000 members of the community experiencing food insecurity, while 1 in 4 children now lives in a food-insecure home. For every $1 donated, the organization can provide three meals to the community. With the help from the bank’s donation, Three Square is providing 180,000 meals to individuals and families throughout the region.
“Thanks to the generous support of our donors, we’re able to persist as Southern Nevada still deals with the lasting effects of the pandemic,” said Brian Burton, President and CEO, Three Square Food Bank. “Bank of America has been a longstanding partner and we are grateful to have them in our corner as we pursue our mission.”
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 effects of the pandemic continue to impact Las Vegas, hunger relief organizations are experiencing increased demand and higher costs to meet the needs of our neighbors and their families,” said Al Welch, President, Bank of America Las Vegas. “We will continue our commitment to help strengthen the communities where we live and serve, which is why we are investing in the health, safety and wellbeing of our teammates while also providing funds to help our local organizations 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.
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