First Interstate Bank in Lincoln closes its doors to help local nonprofits

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – First Interstate Bank closed all branches across the country Wednesday afternoon to send employees on a mission.

The bank held its annual Volunteer Day, sending employees to volunteer for local nonprofits.

“It’s really exciting having community members in here, to see what we do, first and foremost,” said Macala Carter, executive director of the Center for People in Need. “Having them here as guests is incredible, and then having them support us is a really enriching feeling.”

Bank employees went to several nonprofit locations throughout Lincoln including the Center and the Food Bank to Fresh Start.

Fresh Start is a nonprofit whose mission is to provide help for women experiencing homelessness. Volunteers helped out Wednesday by doing some gardening.

“I’m really excited because they’re putting in brand new garden beds for us,” said Cassie Shambaugh-Miller, a case manager at Fresh Start. “To have new garden beds so our residents can garden in the spring and summer will be really nice.”

Many volunteers say they were happy to have the opportunity to help give back to the community.

“It’s fun to have the teamwork and everybody working together to do this,” Nicole Chancellor said.

First Interstate Bank had 3,500 employees volunteering across 14 states during its annual Volunteer Day.