Paying It Forward

With locations in Jordan, Minnesota and near the Minneapolis-St. Paul border, Riverland Bank is centered in its communities with a finger on the pulse of what’s happening in them. Being committed to values of Access, Integrity, Speed, Teamwork, and Trust means supporting the communities where we live, work and play.

As a community bank, it’s important to support local organizations and community members by giving our time, talents, and financial gifts. In 2021, Riverland doubled its charitable giving amount and regularly invests in hours of volunteer time by providing employees with paid time off to give back. “Our team is incredibly passionate about being part of the community and making a positive impact,” says Riverland Bank CEO Rick Huckle.

Meeting Community Needs

As community needs shift, Riverland is able to respond as a flexible partner by adapting its charitable efforts.

With an ongoing core focus on basic needs, Riverland is concentrated on supporting causes in housing and food insecurity and military/veterans support. These causes often overlap and extend into other areas, such as mental health support and education. Some of Riverland’s 2023 involvement in action looks like:

• Supporting food shelves through donation drives and volunteering at them, witnessing the immediate impact of helping others meet one of life’s most basic needs.
• Ongoing volunteerism with veteran-centered organizations, like those focused on veteran homelessness and mental health. Several of the directors on Riverland’s board are veterans, and Huckle has also worked during times of conflict to help veterans transition to civilian life.
• Supporting education-related organizations to help teachers and students access the tools, funding, and support they need to teach and learn.
• Getting involved with non-profits that meet housing needs and ensure people have a place to call home.

Looking Ahead

According to Huckle, as the bank continues to grow, so will its charitable involvement. “Support is not static,” he says. “Not only can we enhance our support financially, but our capacity to volunteer and participate in community service as well.”

To him, community support is vital. “When we help people, our staff is lifted up alongside them.”