JACKSON, Miss., Oct. 8, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Representatives from BankPlus and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) awarded $20,000 in Partnership Grant Program (PGP) funds to Dress for Success Metro Jackson during a check presentation last week.
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Dress for Success Metro Jackson assists underserved, low-wage earning individuals with obtaining the proper attire and skills to gain employment and the confidence to make a great first impression. It helps more than 500 women annually.
The organization will use its partnership grant for capacity building, including hiring additional part-time staff for its career center, as well as implementing a health and wellness program to assist clients with healthy life choices.
"The PGP funds will go a long way in helping the women that we serve," said Pat Chambliss, executive director of Dress for Success Metro Jackson. "BankPlus has done an awesome job working with us. They've come out and done seminars for the women we serve, teaching them how to manage their money, set up banking accounts, and other financial literacy skills. A lot of our clients are from a disadvantaged background and they were unable to open a checking account or a savings account. Now they feel confident about their situations and where they are headed. I couldn't have asked for a better corporate partner than BankPlus. It has just been an awesome partnership."
In 2013, FHLB Dallas awarded $225,000 in partnership grants through its member institutions, such as BankPlus. The grants provide funding for the operational needs of community-based organizations involved in affordable housing and community development. FHLB Dallas matches a member's cash contributions to a community-based organization of $500 up to $5,000 at a 3:1 ratio.
"It's rewarding to work with organizations such as Dress for Success Metro Jackson," said Mark Ouellette, BankPlus first vice president. "At BankPlus, we recognize the vital impact the organization has had on so many women each year. The actual documented success of this program is the reason we have supported Dress for Success Metro Jackson for so many years. The FHLB Dallas Partnership Grant Program helps member banks strengthen their relationships with local community organizations and the additional matching grant will help the organization reach even more deserving women."
About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 12 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $32.7 billion as of June 30, 2013, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced advances and other credit products to approximately 900 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas.
About BankPlus
BankPlus, with total assets of more than $2 billion, has over 60 banking offices in 33 Mississippi communities. BankPlus offices are located in Belzoni, Bentonia, Brandon, Byram, Canton, Clinton, D'Iberville, Durant, Flora, Flowood, Gluckstadt, Hernando, Holly Bluff, Horn Lake, Isola, Jackson, Lexington, Madison, Meridian, Newton, Olive Branch, Pearl, Picayune, Pickens, Poplarville, Quitman, Ridgeland, Shubuta, Southaven, Stonewall, Tchula, Waynesboro and Yazoo City. For additional information on BankPlus, please visit www.BankPlus.net.
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