Amscot Financial contributes mini-grants to 12 non-profit service organizations

TAMPA, Fla., May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Amscot Financial, a leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services, recently made mini-grants of $50 to $1,500 to 12 non-profit service organizations in its 16-county service area. The grants went to:

• The Alpha Institute Program, Clearwater. The Alpha Institute is a mentoring program that focuses on at-risk African American males in middle and high school. The institute's primary mission is to provide a sound structural program to mentor male adolescents, enhancing self-esteem, education, leadership skills and cultural awareness. The institute annually organizes the Alpha Institute Judicial Forum, at which African-American judges from throughout the Tampa Bay region hold a day-long session to discuss with young men the issues confronting today's youth.
• Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, Orlando. This non-profit organization comprises mostly African American retired military veterans, active military personnel, attorneys, police officers, sales executives and government workers and many more. The group pays homage to the Buffalo Soldiers, a group of mostly black soldier who fought as part of the U.S. Calvary in the 1800s. Through a charitable golf tournament and other events, the club raises funds for scholarships for African American students. For more information, please visit http://www.bsmcorlfl.com.
• American Cancer Society's Palm Harbor branch, Palm Harbor. The Palm Harbor Relay for Life event was held April 16 in Palm Harbor. A team of executives from Nationwide Title Clearing raised more than $13,000 in honor of a colleague suffering from a second bout of cancer. For more information, please visit: www.cancer.org.
• Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Bradenton. This program offers food to homeless elementary-age children who attend Title 1 schools and receive food assistance during the school week. The Elks donate food and hygiene items in backpacks, which are distributed to children on Fridays to ensure they have food for the weekends. The children return the backpacks, which the Elks fill for the following weekend. For more information, please visit http://bradentonelks1511.org.
• New Tampa Family YMCA, Tampa. The New Tampa Family YMCA provides assistance in the form of scholarships to send children to summer camp, where reading and youth development programs are offered. For more information, please visit www.tampaymca.org.
• Brentwood Elementary School, Sarasota. All students at Brentwood Elementary School attend a computer lab every day and work on an FCAT-preparation program called SuccessMaker. The school recently held an awards celebration for students who scored gains on the test.
• Computer Mentors Group, Tampa. Computer Mentors Group, Inc. is a non-profit service organization comprised of computer professionals, and others interested in the future job opportunities of disadvantaged youths. The group dedicates time and talent to encourage and guide young people toward a career in the computer industry. For more information, please visit www.computermentors.org.
• The Shepherd Center of Tarpon Springs, Tarpon Springs. The Shepherd's Center provides a reliable source of food for seven communities in north Pinellas County. The group is raising money to purchase a new walk-in refrigerator. For more information, please visit www.tsshepherdcenter.org.
• Liberty Manor for Veterans, Tampa. This group provides transitional housing for homeless, honorably discharged military veterans. The group also provides occupational services to clients to promote self-sufficiency. For more information, please visit www.libertymanor.org.
• Mental Health Association of Central Florida, Orlando. This group offers a free mental health referral service for those living in Central Florida. It offers weekly support groups for English and Spanish speakers as well as a free anxiety/depression clinic. For more information, please visit www.mhacf.org.
• Gamma Zeta Lamba Education Foundation, Tampa. Each year, the Gamma Zeta Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity puts on the Men of Tomorrow program for high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. The Men of Tomorrow program is conducted under the fraternity's national "Go to High School; Go to College" program and is geared toward motivating students from underserved communities to continue their education.  For more information, please visit http://www.tampaalphas.com.
• A Vision of Hope Youth Network, Largo. This group provides an academic after-school program and a summer camp program to young people in Pinellas County. The curriculum focuses on math, science, reading and writing for elementary, middle- and high-school students.

About Amscot Financial

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., Amscot Financial is a leading provider of income tax preparation and electronic filing services, refund anticipation loans, prepaid debit cards, check cashing services, non-bank cash advance services, bill payment services, money transfer services and money orders through its wholly owned division, Amscot International Money Order Company.  Amscot also offers the Amscot Card, a pre-paid debit card that allows owners to make purchases from any location that accepts MasterCard™. Amscot Financial currently operates 176 tax preparation offices and 176 retail financial service centers throughout Florida and employs more than 2,000 people. Amscot Financial has been recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as one of Tampa Bay's Best Places to Work for five years. For additional information, please visit the company's Web site at www.amscot.com.

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SOURCE Amscot Financial