For 41 years, Plumas Bank has witnessed the impact of communities binding together in times of strife to help rebuild neighborhoods, uplift economies and unite individuals. When the Dixie Fire devastated five counties across Northeastern California, many of Plumas Bank’s clients, team members and branch locations were caught in the fire’s path.
“The devastation caused by The Dixie Fire hit close to home,” said Plumas Bank’s Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer, BJ North. “Plumas Bank was founded in Quincy, California and our teams and clients faced destruction of their homes, their businesses and their way of life.”
Establishing the Dixie Fire Fund
The fire began in mid-July, burning nearly 964,000 acres. It destroyed more than 1,300 structures and damaged nearly 100 more. By August, Plumas Bank asked The Community Foundation of Northern Nevada to establish the Dixie Fire Fund. The fund aims to provide emergency hardship support and aid in the recovery of communities impacted by the fire.
The Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has distributed more than $145 million in grants and scholarships from 247 charitable funds. Founded in 1998, the foundation is a community leader, permanent charitable resource, and a philanthropic advisor in charitable giving.
Together, We’re Better
By the end of 2021, the Dixie Fire Fund raised nearly $230,000 which includes a $50,000 donation from Plumas Bank and $25,000 match from Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. While the fund is a modest amount in comparison to the need, the Community Foundation joined the Dixie Fire Funders Roundtable to collaborate with other funders and make those dollars count.
The Funders Roundtable is coordinated by North Valley Community Foundation in Chico, California and brings together several organizations who are partnering to strengthen the impact of the dollars they are awarding local communities. Roundtable members include The Almanor Foundation, Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, Nor Cal United Way, Community Foundation North State and others.
The Funders Roundtable organized a tour of Dixie Fire affected areas and attendees met with California crisis response organizations in Greenville, Taylorsville and Crescent Mills. The tour was joined by representatives from FEMA and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services in California.
“Plumas Bank has served local communities through good times and bad for over four decades, and we are committed to helping our clients and neighbors whose lives have been devastated by the Dixie Fire. We hope our contribution will make a difference for the long-term revitalization of the area,” said Andrew Ryback, President and CEO of Plumas Bank.
Initial Grants Awarded
The Dixie Fire Fund recently awarded the following grants with several additional programs under review.
Plumas Rural Services - $25,000 award
Plumas Rural Services is a Northeastern California community based, non-profit organization providing services and opportunities for the well-being of local residents and families to improve quality of life and self-sufficiency by promoting health, education, prevention and treatment. Learn more at www.plumasruralservices.org.
Dixie Fire Funds granted by The Community Foundation will provide gift cards for basic needs (food, supplies, etc.) to local families impacted by the Dixie Fire. Whenever possible, gift cards will be purchased from local businesses to help with economic recovery in the area as well.
Westwood Family Resource Center - $25,000 award
An organization under the umbrella of Communities United for Children and Families, the Westwood Family Resource Center is providing basic needs assistance to area families including a food pantry. The grant will support these services including continuing community outreach programs and administrative costs.
Lake Almanor Area Chamber of Commerce - $5,000 award
The Lake Almanor Area Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization of individuals and businesses whose primary mission is to advance the commercial, financial, industrial, and civic interests of the Lake Almanor Basin.
With ongoing news of the Dixie Fire devastation, many vacationers may be hesitant to plan their trips, reunions, weddings and weekend getaways to the region. The Lake Almanor Chamber of Commerce launched a campaign to help return tourism to the area. The Community Foundation awarded $5000 to support the campaign’s advertising reach. Learn more at www.discoverplumascounty.org.
Almanor Basin Food Pantry - $1,000 award
Funds granted (and pooled with other funders) will support the purchase of a generator for commercial freezers and refrigerators. ALBP works to combat local food insecurity through food distribution, outreach and education.
When Crisis Comes, Communities Come Together
To learn more about the Dixie Fire Fund hosted by The Community Foundation, visit www.plumasbank.com/dixiefirefund.
This content was provided and paid for by Plumas Bank. Voted 2021 Best Bank and SBA Lender by Northern Nevada Business Weekly, Plumas Bank operates fourteen branches serving businesses and communities in Northern Nevada and Northeastern California including Lake Tahoe. Plumas Bank is an independent, full-service community bank founded in Quincy, California. Its parent company, Plumas Bancorp [Nasdaq:PLBC], is located in Reno, Nevada. Plumas Bank offers a wide range of financial services and has Preferred Lender status with the United States Small Business Administration. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. For more information on Plumas Bancorp and Plumas Bank, visit www.plumasbank.com.
