News & Events

Macomb Rotating Emergency Shelter Team (MCREST) Receives $5,000 from First State Bank

Nov 14, 2018

St. Clair Shores, MI (November 7, 2018) – In an economy that has left thousands of men, women and children without a home of their own, one Macomb County organization strives to raise the standard of care and help individuals overcome homelessness in our community.

National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week  is November 10 – 18, 2018 and First State Bank is honored to recognize a local organization that is making a difference for individuals and families in our community who have been impacted by homelessness. The Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team (MCREST) was founded in 1988 when neighborhood churches joined hearts and hands to host the homeless during harsh winter months. Since its humble beginnings more than 30 years ago, the organization has served more than 1.5 million meals, and provided more than half a million shelter nights. First State Bank has donated $5,000 to MCREST in support of their efforts in Macomb county.

Today, MCREST accommodates 500-600 guests per year, providing meals, safe shelter, and a program that provides support through the trauma of homelessness, transitioning participants back to self-sufficiency.

“People come into our program feeling hopeless, without family support, and have lost everything,” explains Executive Director Amy Fidler. “We boost their self-esteem and get them back on track as they travel to their new journey in life.”

The organization has set its sights on expanding support of women and children after seeing a sharp change in guests visiting the center. “In 2011, we went from housing 45 men on any given day to 15 women, and women with children,” recounts Fidler. To accommodate the growing need, MCREST is working to provide women and children a safe, stable place to stay as they work toward their goal of becoming self-sufficient.

The additional center will provide women and children a place to call home for 90 days as they work toward a successful transition back to independence.

“MCREST is a beacon of hope for community members in what can be an otherwise hopeless state,” says Gene Lovell, president and CEO of First State Bank. “We’re proud to support MCREST’s efforts to get community members in need back on their feet.”

Founded in 1917, First State Bank observed its 100th anniversary last year. As part of its centennial celebration, the bank donated $5,000 to six Macomb County nonprofits nominated by bank employees, customers and the public.

The philanthropic outreach was so well-received—and the number of worthy organizations so many—that the community bank decided to continue the program for another year. MCREST is one of six $5,000 recipients in 2018.

“We’ve been Macomb County’s hometown bank for more than a century,” Lovell says. “It’s our privilege to contribute to organizations that support the well-being of our community.”

To learn more about Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team, please visit mcrest.org.

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First State Bank is headquartered in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. With 101 years of service and $692 million in assets, First State Bank serves Macomb County with 11 branch offices located in Chesterfield Township, Clinton Township, Eastpointe, Macomb Township, Richmond, St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Washington Township, and a Loan Center in Clinton Township. For more information, please visit www.fsb.bank or call 866-372-1275.