Columbia Bank Launches "Warm Hearts" Winter Drive To Support Local Homeless Shelters

Northwest-based Columbia Bank invites community to donate cash, coats, hats and winter wear at all 149 branches throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho

News provided by

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

Dec 01, 2015, 08:00 ET

Columbia Bank logo.

Columbia Bank Warm Hearts Winter Drive logo.

TACOMA, Wash., Dec. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia Bank announced today the launch of the "Warm Hearts" Winter Drive, an annual opportunity for the community surrounding all 149 Columbia Bank branches to support local homeless shelters through donations of cash and warm winter wear. 100 percent of contributions will be distributed directly to local homeless shelters and relief organizations in the communities where they were collected.

Homelessness is affecting the Northwest more than ever, with over 34,000 people living on the streets on any given night. The challenges faced by homeless individuals and families increases exponentially during the cold winter months. Columbia Bank believes that by working with the community, together they can make a meaningful difference.

"I am very proud that Columbia Bank has launched this essential program to provide support to our neighbors in need this winter," said Melanie Dressel, President and CEO of Columbia Bank. "It is our hope the Warm Hearts Winter Drive will provide assistance to those struggling with homelessness in our own backyard. I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to donate and support your community during this critical time of need. I look forward to seeing what we accomplish together."

There are two ways to donate to the Warm Hearts Winter drive, beginning December 1, 2015:

Cash donation: Customers and community members are invited to make a donation at their local branch or online at columbiabank.com. Donations will be used by local shelters in the communities of each bank branch to purchase warm winter goods. 100 percent of all cash donations will go directly to support local, community-based homeless shelters or relief organizations.
Donation of winter goods: Each branch will also have a collection box for those who wish to donate gloves, hats, socks, shoes, coats, long underwear and other warm winter attire. 100 percent of all winter wear donations will go directly to support local, community-based homeless shelters or relief organizations.

Columbia Bank expects to raise $100,000 in cash donations through the Warm Hearts drive. Donations will be accepted December 1, 2015, through January 31, 2016. For more information on the Warm Hearts Winter Drive, please visit warmheartswinterdrive.com.

Columbia Bank has been serving the Northwest since 1993. For branch locations and more information, visit www.columbiabank.com.

About Columbia Bank
Headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, Columbia Banking System, Inc. (NASDAQ: COLB), is the holding company of Columbia Bank, a Pacific Northwest regional community bank, ranked as the best bank headquartered in Washington and 17th in the nation by Forbes Magazine. For the ninth consecutive year, the bank was named in 2015 as one of Puget Sound Business Journal's "Washington's Best Workplaces" and is the 2015 recipient of the Business Examiner's Top Places to Work as a large employer in the South Sound region.

Columbia Bank operates 149 banking offices and branches throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho. More information about Columbia can be found on its website at www.columbiabank.com.