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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Umpqua Bank gives $420,000 to Spokane groups

Second Harvest receives $300,000

Staff reports
Umpqua Bank has awarded $420,000 in grants to local nonprofit organizations. Second Harvest will use the $300,000 it received to launch a new program to ensure students at three elementary schools in Spokane County have enough to eat. The effort includes access to food over the weekends and distribution via mobile food banks and in-class snacks. Another nonprofit, called Excelerate Success, will receive $120,000 to boost the readiness of kindergartners by distributing books and creating parent support networks. The charitable gifts were announced Thursday. Umpqua Bank purchased Sterling Financial Corp., which had been headquartered in Spokane. The Portland-based bank’s charitable foundation typically awards community grants of $2,500 to $10,000 focused on youth development, education, community development and arts access.