At the request of the Mississippi Bankers Association, the ABA Foundation will activate its online disaster relief fundraising platform to support relief efforts in the state after the severe storms
The American Bankers Association Foundation today announced it will start collecting tax-exempt contributions through its Disaster Relief Program to help aid relief efforts in Mississippi after a series of deadly tornadoes swept through the region on March 24. The storms killed at least 21 people and destroyed homes and businesses in their path. At the request of the Mississippi Bankers Association (MBA), the ABA Foundation will immediately begin accepting donations today, with all funds directed to the Heart of the Delta Foundation, which is supporting rural communities in the Delta region, and the CREATE Foundation, which is aiding relief efforts in Northeast Mississippi.
ABA announced that the association will lead the fundraising effort by contributing $50,000 through the Foundation’s Disaster Relief Program to assist those affected by the tornadoes. Local bank employees were among those directly impacted by the storms. Two Bank of Anguilla employees suffered significant injuries from the tornado that hit the town of Rolling Fork and a number of bank employees lost their homes. Employees working for banks in Northeast Mississippi were also affected by the storm, and bank branches sustained damage as well.
“We are devastated by the loss of life in Mississippi and know communities across the state face a long road to recovery,” said ABA president and CEO Rob Nichols. “Banks throughout the state are already stepping up to support customers and communities in need. Our hope is that by activating the ABA Foundation’s Disaster Relief Program, the entire banking industry can contribute to the relief effort and help get Mississippians back on their feet.”
“We thank the ABA Foundation and our banking industry colleagues across the country for their support,” said Gordon Fellows, president and CEO of the Mississippi Bankers Association. “Mississippi’s bankers realize that recovery from this devastating storm will require a long-term commitment, and contributions will help provide local bankers additional means to support those efforts.”
Through the ABA Foundation’s Disaster Relief Program, state bankers associations can request ABA Foundation assistance after a presidentially-declared disaster in their state. If the request meets certain criteria and is approved by the ABA Foundation Board, the ABA Foundation can solicit donations nationwide on the state association’s behalf. The state association is responsible for identifying qualified recipients for all funds raised.
Donations will be accepted until May 12, 2023. To donate, visit aba.com/DonateRelief.