Hillsboro, OH (November 20, 2025) – National Cooperative Bank (NCB), a leading provider of financial services to Southern Ohio and cooperatives nationwide, has awarded $50,000 to three nonprofit organizations supporting residents throughout Highland County.
NCB awarded $20,000 to the Freestore Foodbank to benefit the Hillsboro City School’s Power Pack Program. Each Friday during the school year, the Freestore Foodbank sends home packs of food—known as Power Packs—with students to ensure they have nutritious options available over the weekend. Each pack includes more than a dozen shelf-stable, kid-friendly food items.
“We are overwhelmed and extremely grateful for the generous donation from NCB to the Freestore Foodbank,” stated Darci Miles, Hillsboro Intermediate School Principal. “We are appreciative of the continued community support from organizations like NCB who collaborate with us to put the needs of children first.”
NCB awarded $15,000 to Empower Youth, which will be used to provide weekend food packages for students at Lynchburg-Clay Schools. This donation will fund more than 17 weeks of food packs, helping ensure no child goes hungry on weekends.
“This support is a true game-changer and will help sustain this vital program for the long haul,” stated Scott Conley, Executive Director of Empower Youth.
NCB also awarded $12,750 to the Highland County Senior Citizens Center. The funds will support essential kitchen operations and replace outdated equipment used for many of the center’s fundraising activities.
“We are so fortunate to have NCB, who truly value and support out seniors,” stated Mechell Karnes, Executive Director of the Highland County Senior Citizens Center.
“The grants NCB provides to our local community are a vital part of our mission and reflect the importance of working together to build a stronger, more connected community,” stated Jocelyn Leeth, Branch Manager.