Steve Meads, president and CEO of Bremer Bank, contributed a letter to the editor of the Star Tribune:
These are challenging times for many across the country and right here in our own community. Lending a helping hand can mean the difference between instability and security, enabling families and individuals to meet emergency needs and retain homes or jobs.
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Our founder, Otto Bremer, believed that people could survive and flourish if they had help at critical times. In the 1930s, during the Great Depression, Bremer liquidated many of his personal assets to help the “countryside banks” he owned ride out those hard times.
We take this call to action seriously. It reflects our commitment to the community and reinforces our vision of building healthy communities through partnerships.
I invite other individuals and businesses to offer a helping hand to someone who is struggling — our whole community is the healthier for your support!
Two weeks ago, the Otto Bremer Foundation and Bremer Financial Corporation gave $4.2 million in emergency financial assistance to 81 community organizations in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. The Bremer Emergency Fund supports families and individuals who are struggling to provide basics such as food, stable housing, health care and reliable transportation.
