FFBLA Receives National Award

First Federal Bank of Louisiana is the Emerging Community Bank Service Award winner for the Independent Community Bankers of America’s (ICBA) National Community Bank Service Awards. The program recognizes outstanding acts of service and creative volunteer efforts of the nation’s community banks. Stories about the winners are featured in the September issue of ICBA’s Independent Banker magazine.

The $1 billion-asset bank earned this distinction for its Backpacks of Hope program established in 2024 to support economically disadvantaged students through food and personal necessities at the start of the school year. With the support of partnerships like the Children’s Miracle Network and Westlake Chemical, First Federal Bank of Louisiana has delivered more than 18,600 food items and 13,000 wellness essentials to more than 1,000 elementary students. Since the program’s inception, more than 90% of First Federal’s employees in the market area participated in some form, whether donating items, packing backpacks, visiting schools or coordinating communications.

“The Backpacks of Hope program has expanded our brand’s reach and authenticity,” says Sam Wilkinson, president and CEO of First Federal Bank of Louisiana. “But more importantly, it has created more engaged and invested employees who are committed to creating future-proof communities. We’ve been an important part of the fabric of our community since 1949, and this program has helped to bring our mission to a new level.”

“The bank’s process of giving out the backpacks floored me,” Maranda Lanham, principal at Cypress Cove shared in Independent Banker. “The community truly showed up–it wasn’t just words. It made the kids feel loved and valued and ready to tackle the new school year.”

Since the launch of the ICBA National Community Bank Service Awards program in 2002, hundreds of community banks have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to their communities. Bank technology services provider FIS, of Jacksonville, Fla., sponsored this year’s program.

“First Federal Bank of Louisiana’s Backpacks of Hope program is a powerful example of community banking at its best—identifying a meaningful local need and rallying employees, partners and resources to meet it,” ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said. “By providing students with nutritious snacks and personal care essentials at the start of the school year, First Federal is helping give children the confidence and support they need to focus on learning and thrive.”

For more information about ICBA and the National Community Bank Service Awards, visit National Community Bank Service Awards – ICBA.org