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Banks Award $20K Grant to Benefit Homeless Mothers and Children
[August 17, 2017]

Banks Award $20K Grant to Benefit Homeless Mothers and Children


Thanks to $20,000 in Partnership Grant Program (PGP (News - Alert)) funds awarded by The First, A National Banking Association, BancorpSouth Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas), The Lighthouse Rescue Mission (The Lighthouse) will be able to extend its reach in helping homeless mothers and children in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The funds will be used to cover employee salaries for a therapist, resident supervisor and children's coordinator.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170817006062/en/

The First, A National Banking Association, BancorpSouth Bank and FHLB Dallas awarded $20,000 in Part ...

The First, A National Banking Association, BancorpSouth Bank and FHLB Dallas awarded $20,000 in Partnership Grant Program funds to The Lighthouse Rescue Mission today in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. (Photo: Business Wire)

Representatives from the banks were joined by the organization's leadership and Win Ellington, regional director for U.S. Senator Thad Cochran, at a check presentation today announcing the grants.

Daniel Jayroe, community development director for Hattiesburg Area Development Partnership, said the Hattiesburg community will benefit from the banks' partnership with the nonprofit.

"Thanks to the PGP, in-need women and children will receive the care they need and deserve, but the benefits don't stop there. The community as a whole benefits from the PGP because it will gain productive citizens because of the partnership between the banks and The Lighthouse," said Mr. Jayroe.

The Lighthouse is a nonprofit recovery and transitional facility for mothers and their children who are victims of abuse, homelessness and addiction. Established in 2005, The Lighthouse offers support to mothers and children through GED preparation programs, life skills training, Bible study and group therapy.

The Lighthouse Executive Director Kenneth Thronson said the grant allows the organization to make a greater impact on the community.

"When women and children in need cme to The Lighthouse in their darkest hour, it is our responsibility to show them the light," said Mr. Thronson. "The grant funds help us continue to create a safe environment for the women and children who so desperately need it."



The structure of the PGP enables FHLB Dallas member institutions like The First, A National Banking Association and BancorpSouth Bank to make a contribution of $500 to $4,000 to a community-based organization (CBO), which FHLB Dallas will match at a 3:1 ratio. In 2016, FHLB Dallas awarded $225,000 in PGP funds to assist 23 CBOs. Combined with the $96,200 from member institutions, a total of $321,200 was awarded last year.

"Our role as a community bank is to support the wellbeing of the residents of our community - including women and children - and this grant program allows us to do just that," said BancorpSouth Bank Pine Belt Division President Ted Webb.


Jerome Brown, senior vice president and director of Community Development at The First, A National Banking Association said grants like the PGP offer financial institutions an opportunity to work together toward the betterment of the community.

"Communities thrive when financial institutions and nonprofits work together," said Mr. Brown. "Our bank is committed to serving the community and the PGP helps us lend a hand to those who need it most."

Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas, said the PGP provides a unique service to member institutions.

"The Partnership Grant Program is unique because it helps promote and strengthen relationships between community-based organizations and community banks," he said. "Thanks to our members for their commitment to providing life-saving services to the community's vulnerable population."

About The First Bancshares

The First Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding company for The First, A National Banking Association (the Bank). The Company and the Bank engage in a general commercial and retail banking business for small to medium-sized businesses, professional concerns and individuals. The Bank provides a range of banking services in its primary market area of South Mississippi, South Alabama and Louisiana. The Bank offers a range of commercial and personal loans. Commercial loans include both secured and unsecured loans for working capital (including loans secured by inventory and accounts receivable), business expansion (including acquisition of real estate and improvements), and purchase of equipment and machinery. The Bank offers a range of deposit services, including noninterest-bearing accounts, negotiable order of withdrawal (NOW) accounts, money market accounts, savings accounts and time deposits.

About BancorpSouth

BancorpSouth (NYSE: BXS) is headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi, with $14.8 billion in assets. BancorpSouth operates 234 full service branch locations as well as additional mortgage, insurance, and loan production offices in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas, including an insurance location in Illinois. BancorpSouth is committed to a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion in both its workplace and communities. To learn more, visit our Community Commitment page at www.bancorpsouth.com. "Like" us on Facebook; follow us on Twitter (News - Alert)@MyBXS; or connect with us through LinkedIn.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank system created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $62.9 billion as of June 30, 2017, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced advances and other credit products to approximately 850 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. Visit fhlb.com for more information.


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