Partnering with the Community
New Jersey banks are good corporate citizens dedicated to the success of the communities we serve, as ours is dependent on theirs. New Jersey bank employees serve on local civic and charitable boards or are otherwise engaged in their communities. Banks individually and collectively participate in thousands of activities that contribute to the betterment of communities and the state.

Yet too often, the banking community does not receive proper recognition for its numerous contributions to civic and charitable causes. NJBankers operates a comprehensive program overseen by our Public Relations and Marketing Committee to ensure that these contributions are known by legislators, regulators, media and the public.

Eva's Village
For the past two years, the New Jersey Bankers Association has spearheaded an industry-wide community service initiative to benefit Eva’s Village in Paterson. Eva’s Village provides care and support for people who are struggling with poverty, hunger, homelessness, and addiction.

Bankers traded in their suits for hairnets and gloves to serve meals to Eva’s guests. Each Garden State bank that participated sent volunteers and contributed $1,000 to help with the purchase of food. Nearly 500 bankers participated in the initiative which also included support for Eva’s Workforce Development Program by hosting mock job fairs. NJBankers staff also joined in to support Eva’s mission.

The banking industry initiative ran each year from May to December and resulted in contributions of $55,500 and 17,500 meals served.

According to John E. McWeeney, Jr., NJBankers President and CEO, “The Garden State banking industry is committed to supporting the communities they serve and they keep their local communities vibrant and strong by working hand in hand with community partners. When NJBankers announced the initiative, it didn’t take long for bankers to step up.”

For more information about this community service initiative, contact Program Coordinator Erin Suckiel at esuckiel@njbankers.com.

Photo Caption: NJBankers employees volunteered for a day to serve lunch at Eva’s Community Kitchen in Paterson, New Jersey in support of their Philanthropic partnership with Eva's Village.