Isabella Bank has announced the winners of its inaugural Holiday with Heart giving campaign, a community initiative that directed a total of $24,000 in donations to local nonprofits. The campaign, which garnered substantial community support, saw over 3,000 votes cast within a two-week period to determine the recipients of the funds.
The Grand Gift of $10,000 was awarded to the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen, an organization dedicated to providing meals for those in need. Located in Mount Pleasant, the soup kitchen serves a diverse clientele, including seniors, families, veterans, students, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Community Impact and Support
The funds will enable the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen to offer free breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. Additionally, the donation will support the processing of over 30,000 pounds of food each month, which is distributed to seven nonprofit partners across four counties to aid in their food assistance efforts.
“We’re proud to support local organizations that make a difference for our neighbors,” said Neil McDonnell, President of Isabella Bank. “Holiday with Heart was about coming together to create a meaningful impact — and we’re excited to see how these funds will help our communities continue to grow and thrive.”
Sarah Adkins, Executive Director of the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen, expressed gratitude for the donation, stating, “At a time when more people are struggling, this gift makes a huge impact in the fight against food insecurity in our community.”
Additional Awards and Recognitions
The campaign also recognized several other noteworthy organizations with various awards. The Impact Leader award of $5,000 went to Child Advocacy of Gratiot County Baby Pantry. The Difference Makers awards of $2,500 each were presented to Emmaus House of Saginaw and Angels of Action of Mecosta County. Several organizations received Community Gifts of $1,000 each, including Mid-Michigan Community Action, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region, Midland County Food Assistance Network, and Montcalm County Habitat for Humanity.
For more information about the winners and their missions, Isabella Bank encourages the public to follow them on social media. The bank anticipates continuing the Holiday with Heart initiative for many years to come, reinforcing its commitment to giving back to the community during the holiday season.
