Pennsylvania American Water Awards $36K+ in Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Funding

In conjunction with Black History Month, celebrating the rich cultural heritage, triumphs and struggles of one the United States’ diverse populations, Pennsylvania American Water today announced the recipients of its annual corporate funding aimed at supporting inclusion, diversity and equity efforts. Charitable donations awarded to 13 organizations across the company’s service territory totaled $36,500.

“Investing in organizations that promote inclusion, diversity and equity-related initiatives is a key component of Pennsylvania American Water’s community engagement strategy,” said company president Justin Ladner. “Through this funding, we demonstrate our continued commitment to helping create inclusive and welcoming communities across the Commonwealth.”

Pennsylvania American Water selected the following organizations across its service territory that support and reflect the company’s inclusion, diversity and equity values and efforts:

“We are extremely thankful for the generous donation that Pennsylvania American Water contributed to the Layers of Black History book drive,” said Corey Dupree, one of the organization’s co-founders. “With their donation we were able to provide over 150 books highlighting diversity and representation in literature. We are beyond excited to continue spreading the mission of sustainability and environmental justice alongside partners like Pennsylvania American Water!”

People’s Security Bank & Trust Donates Over $900,000 to Local Organizations

Through the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, Peoples Security Bank & Trust (PSBT) has been able to donate over $900,000 to private schools, scholarship organizations, pre-kindergartens, school districts, universities, and other non-profit organizations during 2023. The EITC Program allows businesses the opportunity to support local organizations by reallocating a portion of their tax dollars for donation purposes through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

The donations were used to fund scholarship programs, educational supplies, school grants, and innovative educational programs. Eighty-two organizations throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley have benefitted from these allocated funds. Since 2015, PSBT has donated over $6 million through the EITC program.

“It is part of our responsibility to give back to our local communities. Through the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program, we have an opportunity each year to make advances in student education that will last a lifetime. Receiving a quality education leads to our communities becoming more cultivating, vibrant, and inclusive,” says Jeffrey Drobins, Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer.

Outreach- Center for Community Resources Receives Donations from Local Donors

Outreach – Center for Community Resources received a generous donation of toys from local donors, including Holy Cross High School, Johnson College, the Kiwanis Club of Scranton, Covenant Presbyterian Church Women’s Group, and Bret and Sarah Naugle. The donated toys will allow Outreach families to pick out gifts to give to their children on Christmas morning as part of Outreach’s annual Toyland Workshop.

Outreach supports families experiencing adverse life events. For many of these families, the additional costs of the holiday season can be burdensome. Outreach seeks to alleviate some of this stress with help from local organizations and donors.

Each year, Outreach’s Toyland Workshop provides families with much-needed support during the holiday season and a little Christmas magic. Outreach families are welcome to “shop” the workshop, which provides every child with a toy, a book, and a warm pair of pajamas. Donated toys and pajamas are categorized by age and size, allowing caregivers to select the perfect present for their child. Additionally, caregivers are provided with a grocery gift card to assist with purchasing food for a holiday meal.

Outreach is grateful to the many individuals, families, and organizations who purchased toys or pajamas for local children. This event would not be possible without the generosity of others in the community. Through this generosity, the Northeastern Pennsylvania community has helped advance Outreach’s mission of family stability and economic self-sufficiency.

For over 35 years, Outreach has made helping families thrive our highest priority. Outreach builds strong families and communities by offering resources for employment training, parenting, early childhood education, youth mentoring, community reentry, adult GED services,  wrap-around case management, and more. Outreach improves the lives of nearly 5,000 adults and children annually with evidence-based workforce and family development programs that support individuals as they navigate life’s challenges.

Fidelity Bank Makes Multiple Donations

In late August, Fidelity Bank donated $50,000 to Marywood University.

($25,000 from Fidelity Bank and $25,000 from the Fidelity D&D Charitable Foundation.)

Pictured: Dan Santaniello, President & CEO of Fidelity Bank, Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., President of Marywood University, and Dragan Jokic, Assistant Vice President & Retail Branch Manager of the Dunmore branch.

In late July, Fidelity Bank donated $7,500 to Sisters of IHM.

($2,500 from Fidelity Bank and $5,000 from the Fidelity D&D Charitable Foundation)

Pictured: Bob Brown, President of Sisters of IHM, Sister Ann Bubser, Executive Director of Sisters of IHM, Dan Santaniello, President & CEO of Fidelity Bank, and Lori Barrett, Vice President & Senior Trust Officer at Fidelity Bank, and also Treasurer of Sisters of IHM.

In late July, Fidelity Bank donated $2,500 to the Cody Barrasse Memorial Foundation.

Pictured: Dan Santaniello, President & CEO of Fidelity Bank, Lori Barrett, Vice President & Senior Trust Officer at Fidelity Bank and Joseph Barrasse from the Cody Barrasse Memorial Foundation.

Keystone Mission Receives Donation from Wegmans Food Market

In the last six months, Wegmans in Wilkes-Barre has supported Keystone Mission’s Transformation Center through the Make a Meal Program.

One of the five structured pillars of Keystone Mission’s Transformation Center is Life Skills Training. Part of this programming includes residents learning how to make meals for healthy living. Trained by staff and volunteers, residents are then given a weekly allowance to budget, purchase food at a local grocery store, and prepare meals.

Wegmans is one of the local partnerships that has provided residents the ability to shop locally and reap the benefits of healthy living through healthy eating.

FNCB Bank Toys for Tots Drive Yields Hundreds of Toys for Area Children

FNCB Bank logo

FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, is pleased to announce they recently held a bank-wide Toys for Tots drive that yielded hundreds of toys for children in Northeast Pennsylvania.

The drive was conducted in all 16 community offices as well as FNCB’s Corporate Centers in Dunmore.

Midge MacArthur, FNCB Bank Dunmore Community Office Manager, spearheaded the project.

“The generosity of our customers and employees is truly incredible,” said MacArthur. “Every year we do this, the number of toys donated increases. It’s because of this generosity, that many kids in NEPA will have a brighter holiday season.”

The support of Toys for Tots is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB Bank is making a difference through volunteerism, donations and outreach programs.

Designs by Olivia Grey is Collecting Donations for Ukraine

Designs by Oliva Grey has partnered with St Vladimir Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Scranton to help collect newly requested military and tactical supplies.

Please note, only new or gently used donations/supplies will be accepted at this time. Donations may be dropped off either at our storefront during business hours at 206 Depot St. Clarks Summit, PA, 18411 or St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church at 430 N 7th Ave, Scranton,Pa. 

Lackawanna County Commissioners Encourage Donations for Ukraine

As we all know, there is a horrific war going on in the Ukraine. St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Catholic Church is organizing a drive for medical supplies and monetary donations to help the military and the citizens of the Ukraine.

Items requested are: toilet paper, non-perishables, diapers, pain medicines (Advil, Tylenol), gauze, bandages, and any other basic first aid items.

If you wish to donate the medical equipment, it can be dropped off at the church on 430 N. 7th Avenue, Scranton.

The supplies and monetary donations will have to be submitted by Friday, March 4, at 9 a.m. A shipping airfreight company in Philadelphia will leave Saturday and will land in Poland. The supplies will then be sent to the Ukraine over the weekend.

Monetary donations are also accepted. You can Venmo Olena Shemchuk at @Olena-shemchuk with your donations. ALL the proceeded will go directly to where they are needed the most. 

FNCB Bank Donates Scholarship Funds to Marywood University’s Momentum Program

FNCB Bank presents a $7,500 Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donation to Marywood University for their Momentum Program. Marywood University’s Momentum Program provides high school juniors and seniors with the opportunity to get a head start on college by enrolling in college level courses. Students can choose from a variety of courses, most often liberal arts courses, during the Fall, Spring, Summer I and Summer II semesters through high school graduation. Since 2010, FNCB has contributed just under $2,500,000 to local educational and scholarship organizations through the EITC initiative. From left: Jerry Champi, FNCB Bank President and CEO; Patricia Rosetti, Marywood University Leadership Annual Giving Officer.

FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, has announced a $7,500 Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donation to Marywood University for their Momentum Program.

Marywood University’s Momentum Program provides high school juniors and seniors with the opportunity to get a head start on college by enrolling in college level courses. Students can choose from a variety of courses, most often liberal arts courses, during the Fall, Spring, Summer I and Summer II semesters through high school graduation.

Since 2010, FNCB has contributed just under $2,500,000 to local educational and scholarship organizations through the EITC initiative.


The support of Marywood University is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB Bank is making a difference through volunteerism, donations and outreach programs.