Union State Bank Staff Volunteer for “Week of Action”
A normal day in the banking industry rarely includes plucking weeds in a wolf enclosure, but that was one of the ways Union State Bank staff volunteered their time earlier this month. From August 20-22 approximately 57-hours were donated by bank employees to Wichita area organizations in conjunction with United Way’s “Week of Action.”
“We wanted to have a way for our employees in the Wichita market to give back to our community,” said Kayla Bean, Union State Bank’s Director of Internal Audit.
Staff were able to complete a total of 19 volunteer opportunities. Tasks included outdoor landscaping and clean-up, home construction, food packaging, and event preparation.
“I boxed up food to give away for the United Methodist Open Door Food Pantry. We put together 150+ boxes and around 50+ bags that will go directly to those in the most need,” explained Ryan Valencia, Union State Bank’s Director of Retail Services. “Knowing that our work potentially impacted nearly 200 families in need was by far my favorite part.”
Union State Bank has a strong partnership with United Way. USB staff have pledged over $20,000 in 2024 to United Way offices throughout Kansas and Oklahoma. Bean and Valencia worked with United Way of the Plains to organize the “Week of Action” event on behalf of the bank.
“(The United Way) have agencies that are always in need of assistance with various tasks. Union State Bank is committed to bettering the communities we serve, and this was just another way to achieve that goal,” said Valencia.
Organizations receiving volunteer assistance included Dear Neighbor Ministries, HumanKind, Sedgwick County Zoo, United Methodist Open Door Food Pantry, Wichita Habitat for Humanity and Ability Point.
“As a financial institution, I think we are obligated to not only serve our community financially, but helping organizations in other ways is equally as important and impactful,” explained Abby Williams, Union State Bank’s BSA/AML/Fraud Specialist.
About Union State Bank: Founded in 1908, Union State Bank has banking locations serving communities of Arkansas City, Newton, Udall, Winfield, and Wichita in Kansas and in Bartlesville and Edmond, Oklahoma. Union State Bank offers a full range of electronic, deposit and cash management services, as well as business and agriculture, commercial real estate, construction, mortgage, residential and consumer loans. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender, NMLS# 412388