NEW IBERIA, La., June 24, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- While visiting a friend, Karen
Jones noticed that she had had some repairs done to her
home.
The friend was able to pay for the repairs with the help of a
Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) grant from Community First
Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas).
FHLB Dallas offers SNAP grants through its member institutions,
like Community First Bank, to assist income-qualified,
special-needs homeowners with necessary home repairs and
modifications.
Soft spots in the floor of her self-described "lopsided" home
prompted Ms. Jones, 58, to apply for a SNAP grant. She was awarded
$5,000 in funds from Community First
Bank and FHLB Dallas, which replaced the floor and elevated parts
of the house that were not level. The home repairs were a big help
to the retired nanny, who now lives on a fixed monthly income.
"The soft spots were so dangerous," said Ms. Jones. "I
constantly had to watch where I stepped. I could have fallen
through the holes."
Since SNAP's inception in 2009, more than $10.6 million has been awarded in grants through
FHLB Dallas member institutions to assist more than 2,000 families
across FHLB Dallas' five-state District of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New
Mexico, and Texas. In 2015,
FHLB Dallas awarded nearly $1.5
million in SNAP grants that assisted 319 families. The 2016
SNAP funding, made available in January on a first-come,
first-served basis, has been exhausted.
Community First Bank Vice President Kenny LeJeune said that Community First Bank has
done more than 50 SNAP applications since 2011 and is happy to
serve the community through the program.
"Ms. Jones was so excited to learn of the program," said Mr.
LeJeune. "It's truly amazing to know we can provide assistance to
residents in need through the SNAP."
FHLB Dallas First Vice President and Director of Community
Investment Greg Hettrick praises
Community First Bank for utilizing the program.
"Community First Bank is a valued supporter of the SNAP," said
Mr. Hettrick. "This program exists to assist elderly and disabled
homeowners who cannot afford home repairs. Community First Bank's
commitment to improving the lives of these homeowners is an
inspiration and we hope to continue this partnership for many years
to come."
Mr. LeJeune adds that the program has not only been rewarding,
but also seamless, stating that it has been one of the "smoothest
programs" he's been involved with.
"Being involved with the SNAP has been one of the most
fulfilling experiences in my 35 years of banking," he said.
As for Ms. Jones, she is no longer afraid to have visitors in
her home and has a new pep in her step. "The program gave me a
little bit of hope to get up in the morning," she said. "I thank
God for the blessing to be able to walk on a floor that's not going
to fall in."
About Community First Bank
In the late 1990s, a group of Iberia
Parish business leaders recognized the need to create a
financial institution that would serve the unique needs of the
local community. On May 10, 1999,
they founded a bank, employing 10 local veteran bankers with a
philosophy of superlative service. From modest beginnings in a
modular banking facility that housed both retail delivery and back
office operations to present-day seven bank branches, plus a
recently purchased facility that will house all operations, Main
Office Branch, Lending, and Administration, we are 90-plus
employees strong and growing. Our business model of offering
competitive banking products, investing in technology to provide
fast and secure access to your money, and local decision-making by
seasoned lenders has created an ideal banking environment to meet
the demands of local communities. As the bank continues to grow and
expand in neighboring parishes, excellence in customer service will
always be our primary goal. For more information about Community
First Bank, visit cfirstbank.com.
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 $49.5 billion as of
March 31, 2016, is a member-owned
cooperative that supports housing and community development by
providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to
approximately 850 members and associated institutions in
Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New
Mexico, and Texas. For more
information, visit fhlb.com.
Contact:
Corporate Communications
Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
www.fhlb.com
(214) 441-8445
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SOURCE Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas