U.S. Bancorp announced that its recent grant to the Washington

literacy organization, Books for Kids, helped mark a major milestone in its

contributions program. The $15,000 grant helped push the banks’ total cash

contributions over the past ten years to more than $150 million.

Books for Kids collaborates with schools and social service

agencies statewide providing new books to needy children and encouraging

reading in their homes.

“We are and have always been committed to improving the

communities where we do business,” said Phyllis Campbell, president of

U.S. Bank in Washington. “Books for Kids is an organization that shares our

commitment to providing educational opportunities for disadvantaged

children.”

“Without early exposure to reading, children often struggle

academically and are at increased risk for dropout and teen pregnancy,” said

Keltie Wright, executive director of Books for Kids. “Together, U.S. Bank

and Books for Kids can help prevent such setbacks.”

In addition to Books for Kids, 11 other grants were made throughout

the company’s 16-state territory, helping to push the bank’s cash giving

above the $150 million milestone. U.S. Bancorp contributed more than

$22 million in cash grants to its communities in 1999 in areas including

affordable housing, economic development, K-12 education, artistic and

cultural enrichment and the United Way. The company’s employees

donated thousands of volunteer hours and contributed personal cash gifts to

non-profit organizations, for which the company contributed more than

$1 million in matching gifts.