CBA Applauds 2021 Joe Belew Award Recipient Wells Fargo
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) today announced Wells Fargo as the 2021 Joe Belew Award winner, recognizing the bank for its efforts to support communities hardest hit by the pandemic with its Drive-Up Food Bank Program. Wells Fargo was one of 14 banks to submit applications showcasing the impact of their COVID-19 relief initiatives.
Entering its 11th year, the award theme changes yearly to reflect the timely needs impacting communities. The winner is selected by a subcommittee of the CBA’s Community Reinvestment Committee, which is comprised of the heads of CRA for over 50 of the nation’s leading banks. Wells Fargo previously won in 2012 and their continued commitment to serve has awarded them this distinction among the industry.
“Congratulations to Wells Fargo for winning CBA’s 2021 Joe Belew Award,” said CBA President & CEO Richard Hunt.“Throughout this pandemic, America’ leading banks have moved heaven and earth to support their customers amidst an unprecedented public health and economic crisis. Wells Fargo’s Drive-Up Food Bank Program is a great example of bankers giving back to the communities they serve, at a time when they were needed most. Thank you to all of our CBA members who submitted applications this year for their continued commitment to help families in need during this difficult time for the nation.”
“Since the pandemic began, many Americans around the country have been hurting as they try to make ends meet due to the deep economic impact of COVID-19,” said Mary Mack, CEO of Consumer & Small Business Banking at Wells Fargo. “One of the biggest challenges in the summer of 2020 was getting food to those who needed it most, and Wells Fargo used the broad reach of our locations, including bank branches and corporate properties around the country, to help distribute food and increase accessibility for families facing hunger. We are proud to receive the 2021 Joe Belew award in recognition of these efforts and commend all of the nominees for their programs in helping our local communities.”
Wells Fargo created the following video, entitled “Gratitude,” to celebrate the recognition from CBA.
About Wells Fargo’s Drive-Up Food Program
During the summer of 2020, Wells Fargo launched the Drive-Up Food Bank program to help families facing food insecurity at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Working with Feeding America®, the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the country, and its network of member food banks, Wells Fargo turned many of its locations across the country into mobile food distribution centers providing 82+ million meals.* Wells Fargo also contributed $10 million to Feeding America, utilizing all available resources to help people in need.
*82 million meals calculation is based on 1) Actual number of meals distributed through Wells Fargo drive-up food bank events and 2) Wells Fargo’s financial contributions to support Feeding America food banks 7/20/20-12/31/20. $1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks.
About the Joe Belew Award
The Joe Belew Award was established in 2011 in memory of Joe Belew, former CBA president, to honor his commitment to community development. The annual award recognizes the efforts of CBA member-banks whose innovative solutions address pressing social and community issues. Previous award winners include Citizens Bank, Discover Bank, First Niagara Financial Group, and PNC Financial Services. For more than a decade, the focuses of the award have ranged from job creation to low- and moderate-income housing programs and small business support.
To view the full list of 2021 applications, click HERE.