Solvay Bank Distributes $50,000 in Grants to Church Food Pantries Through FHLBNY Program

Solvay Bank Distributes $50,000 in Grants to Church Food Pantries Through FHLBNY Program

12/09/2025

This holiday season, Solvay Bank, the oldest community bank established in Onondaga County, distributed $50,000 in grants through the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York's (FHLBNY) Small Business Recovery Grant (SBGR) Program to 15 local church food pantries across Onondaga County.

The pantries were granted funding to help maintain essential operations and strengthen neighborhood resilience against economic pressures such as inflation, supply-chain constraints, and rising energy costs. Recipients are using the grants for necessary expenses, with priority given to organizations providing emergency food assistance.

"As a community bank, we believe local nonprofits and church food pantries are critical to sustaining our neighborhoods," said Michele Fernandez, VP Enterprise Risk Manager & CRA Officer at Solvay Bank. "It is our mission to invest back and support those who serve our community. We are honored to partner with the FHLBNY and thank these organizations for their unwavering commitment."

Founded in 1917, Solvay Bank is the oldest community bank established in Onondaga County. Solvay Bank has nine, soon to be ten with a new office opening in East Syracuse, branch locations in Solvay, Baldwinsville, Camillus, Cicero, DeWitt, Liverpool, North Syracuse, Westvale, downtown Syracuse in the State Tower Building, and a commercial lending presence in the Mohawk Valley. Solvay Bank's Insurance Agency, Inc. is a full-service general insurance agency. For more information about Solvay Bank, visit solvaybank.com.

The FHLBNY helps community lenders advance housing and community growth in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FHLBNY is part of the congressionally chartered, nationwide Federal Home Loan Bank System and increases the availability of mortgages and home finance to families of all income levels by assisting members in more effectively serving their neighborhoods and meeting their Community Reinvestment Act responsibilities. More information at fhlbny.com.