CLEVELAND — On Thursday, at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank Community Resource Center, volunteers outside a mobile banking unit were ready to serve the community.
It's part of PNC's effort to make banking less complicated for underserved areas that don't have easy access to banks.
"If they're under an unfortunate circumstance where they're not banked, they can come here, we can open up an account, we can issue a debit card and work with them to learn how to use the ATM to make a deposit right there," said Pat Pastore, regional president for PNC Bank Cleveland.
Pastore says when it comes to this mobile banking unit, it's all about meeting residents in the community where they are.
"We provide financial education and that if it leads to banking services, terrific," Pastore said.
It's that kind of financial education that helps people, like Dwayne Williams, who stopped by the unit today at the food bank.
"I feel excited that I'm (getting) ready to fix my credit and I got a banking account that's behind me on everything now. Yeah. So I feel good about it," Williams said.
What's unique about the program, is that it's not just about banking. PNC is teaming up with several other organizations around Cleveland. That way, those who visit any of the sites, can have a one-stop shop experience.
See below for the mobile banking stops:
- Salvation Army – West Park 12645 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44111
- ESOP – Empowering and strengthening Ohio’s people --11890 Fairhill Rd, Cleveland, OH 44120
- University Settlement -- 4800 Broadway Ave, Cleveland, OH 44127
- May Dugan Center -- 4115 Bridge Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
- The Centers -- 4500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44103
- Fairfax Renaissance Development Corp. -- 8111 Quincy Ave # 100, Cleveland, OH 44104
- Greater Cleveland Food Bank Community Resource Center -- 15500 S Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110
- Tri-C Metro Campus -- Student Services, 2900 Community College Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115
"So when we say one-stop shop, we are really mindful of one-stop shop. So organizations that specialize in employment, housing, and healthcare," said Tiffany Scruggs, executive director for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank Community Resource Center. "This is a safe zone, no judgment, judgment-free zone ... just come and learn."
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