Fifth Third Bank Announces Third Annual Back to School Supply Drive

NAPLES, Fla., Aug. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- School starts later this month and for the third consecutive year, Fifth Third Bank is partnering with education foundations in Collier, Lee, Sarasota, Manatee, and Palm Beach counties for its annual Back to School Supply Drive.

In addition, the 2011 effort has been expanded to include the bank's Tampa Bay and Central/North Florida affiliates with 46 and 48 locations, respectively. From August 8 through 26, the bank will collect donations of school supplies through collection bins in all financial center locations and offices to benefit students in these areas.

"This year, thanks to like-minded partnerships in the Tampa Bay and Central/North Florida geographies, our school supply drive is bigger and better than ever," said David Call, President and CEO, Fifth Third Bank (South Florida). "Through our combined efforts, we hope to equip even more children with the tools and materials they need to start the school year off right."  

In the last two years, the Back to School Supply Drive has resulted in the collection of more than 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies for students throughout South Florida. The campaign has also resulted in more than $23,000 in grants and donations to help children prepare for their first day of school. All supplies will be distributed by the education foundations in individual backpacks provided by Fifth Third Bank to students in need of assistance.

"Florida's local education foundations step in when both school and family budgets fall short, providing classroom materials for teachers and the tools students need to be successful," said Mary Chance, president of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. "By working with business partners like Fifth Third Bank that share our goal of eliminating barriers to student success, our member foundations are able to direct resources where they are needed most in each county."

Drop-off locations include all Fifth Third Bank financial centers and offices throughout South Florida, Tampa Bay and Central/North Florida; click here for locations. Suggested items include #2 pencils, spiral notebooks, 8- or 24-count boxes of crayons, washable glue or glue sticks, full-size boxes of tissue, anti-bacterial wipes or hand sanitizer, gallon- or sandwich-size zip lock bags, etc.  Donations of gift cards to office supply stores or retail vendors are also welcomed and will be used by the education foundations to purchase supplies from school-issued lists.

Throughout the campaign, bank employees will be encouraged to participate through internal challenges and rewards such as "Dollars for Denim" days, during which they can dress business-casually in return for a small donation.

During August, the bank's Women's Network and local establishments will host social events to promote the school supply drive.  On Wednesday, August 10, 4:00p.m. to 7:30p.m., the bank's Women's Network will partner with Blue Martini in the Boca Raton Town Center for a social event promoting the drive. Anyone who donates school supplies will receive a complimentary cocktail (one per person). All donations will benefit the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County.

In Naples, the women's network will partner with Bravo! Cucina Italiana Wednesday, August 17, 4:00p.m. to 6:30p.m. Anyone who donates school supplies will receive a complimentary glass of wine (one per person). All donations will benefit the Education Foundation of Collier County.

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.  The Company has $111 billion in assets and operates 15 affiliates with 1,316 full-service Banking Centers, including 103 Bank Mart® locations open seven days a week inside select grocery stores and 2,442 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia and North Carolina. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, and Investment Advisors. Fifth Third also has a 49% interest in Vantiv, LLC, formerly Fifth Third Processing Solutions, LLC. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of June 30, 2011, had $276 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $25 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB."

SOURCE Fifth Third Bank