Regions Bank Helps Fight Hunger
No child should go to bed hungry. But it is happening in food deserts across the country.
Regions Bank is helping in doing something about it.
Sulphur Springs, a neighborhood in Tampa, has no supermarkets within a walkable distance. Regions Bank associates, with the United Way Suncoast, volunteered at Tampa Metropolitan YMCA’s Sulphur Springs Food Pantry to support.
The event, which took place during the 32nd annual Week of Caring, saw Regions volunteers helping Food Pantry staff at Sulphur Springs PK-8 Community Partnership School (SSK8) with packing bags, storing and distributing food to the community, and cleaning-up.
“The work being done here is helping make sure students are fed,” said Tricia Johnson, market executive for Regions Bank in St. Petersburg-Clearwater. “Our colleagues are supporting in tackling the challenges in this food desert, a little bit at a time. No one can do it all on their own; that is why community collaborations like these inspire more people to make a difference.”
All the students at the school qualify for free lunch. This outreach helps gives children the chance to have food at home as well.
“This collaborative effort exemplifies the transformative power of community partnerships,” said Meagan Smithyman, Executive Director of Community Schools & Family Outreach at Tampa Metropolitan YMCA. “The Food Pantry at SSK8 serves all families in the Sulphur Springs neighborhood with access to produce, shelf-stable items, and important household items like laundry detergent and hygiene products. Our volunteers help to sort and shelve donations so residents can shop for their items, which emphasizes their dignity.”
The work being done here is helping make sure students are fed. Our colleagues are supporting in tackling the challenges in this food desert, a little bit at a time.
Tricia Johnson, market executive for Regions Bank in St. Petersburg-Clearwater
Regions Foundation Helps Facilitate Learning
Education should not take a summer break. The Regions Foundation is helping keep children learning and thriving, after the bell rings and through the summer.
The Regions Foundation, a nonprofit funded primarily by Regions Bank, presented a $45,000 grant to support the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA in providing services within the Sulphur Springs PK-8 Community Partnership School (SSK8) to offer year-round support to students. This includes after school and summer programming for 4th through 8th grade students as well as the Junior Achievers Club.
“The Regions Foundation believes in supporting educational initiatives and empowering youth,” said Marta Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation. “The foundation is proud to have supported the work of the YMCA team with the middle school students in the last few years, and seeing how it enables children in Sulphur Springs to blossom academically and personally.”
The Tampa YMCA has played a pivotal role in embedding its services within SSK8. Together, through a collective impact approach focused on children and families, this funding aims to provide comprehensive support that addresses academic, social, and emotional needs.
Through positive behavior support and enriching activities, we aim to empower every child to reach their full potential.
Meagan Smithyman, Executive Director of Community Schools & Family Outreach at Tampa Metropolitan YMCA
The after-school program operates five days a week, providing students with literacy and STEM enrichment, homework assistance, and dinner daily. Similarly, the Summer Camp, spanning nine weeks, offers comprehensive support, wrap-around care and offsite field trips every Friday.
“Our focus extends beyond academics to encompass healthy living and social-emotional development,” said Smithyman. “Through positive behavior support and enriching activities, we aim to empower every child to reach their full potential. Thanks to this support from the Regions Foundation, we can continue to provide enriching programs and resources that help children succeed.”