Relief From the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene

Community State Bank

Location: Union Grove, Wis.

Asset size: $600 million

After hearing of a relief trip to North Carolina made by residents of nearby Kansasville, Wis., Community State Bank in Union Grove, Wis., decided to partner with them and support them for a second trip. From Oct. 10 to Oct. 23, the community bank acted as a donation hub for the trip, collecting an estimated 6,000 pounds of food, cold weather apparel and other supplies to be delivered to North Carolina. After gathering the donations, employees loaded everything into a trailer. Community State Bank also donated $1,000 for fuel costs.

“Whether it was contacting people to see if they were interested in donating or taking supplies and bags from the lobby to the parking lot, it was a cool thing to see everyone helping out with this,” says Jeffrey Zampanti, media and communications coordinator at Community State Bank.

Oconee State Bank

Location: Watkinsville, Ga.

Asset size: $621.9 million

Established in 2020 to celebrate Oconee State Bank’s 60th anniversary, the community bank’s Remarkable Foundation collected supplies and financial donations for relief after Hurricane Helene. The community bank in Watkinsville, Ga., also pledged to match a portion of the funds raised to support the affected communities. 

Supplies and funds were distributed through the foundation to communities across the Southeast, including direct donations to Visit Johnson City Inc., which is supporting housing aid, and Adventure Bags Inc., a nonprofit offering comfort bags for children.

“Bank team members, customers, community members, local organizations and beyond have an opportunity to partner with the established and reputable giving history of Oconee State Bank,” says Deesha Hagwood, vice president and marketing director. “We are deeply grateful for the support and generosity of those who joined us in this effort. Together, we are making a real, lasting impact.”

SouthState Bank

Location: Winter Park, Fla.

Asset size: $45 billion

Asheville, N.C., was one of the communities hit hardest by Hurricane Helene. As part of a professional partnership with HomeTrust Bank in Asheville, N.C., SouthState Bank employees at the Charlotte, N.C., and Greenville, S.C., branches volunteered on Oct. 7 to collect and deliver food and other relief supplies. HomeTrust Bank employees then drove those supplies to its branches in Asheville, where they were distributed to those in need. 

“I’m proud of our bankers for stepping up to help meet the needs of our neighbors in North Carolina,” says Mike Coggin, SouthState Bank’s division president. “This shows how companies can work together for the goodwill of those in crisis.”