RILEY COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE GRANTS TOTALLING $9,000
FROM THE WILLIAM T. KEMPER FOUNDATION, COMMERCE BANK, TRUSTEE

Manhattan, Kan. - November 14, 2003 - Three Manhattan organizations announced the receipt of grants from the William T. Kemper Foundation, Commerce Bank, Trustee. The Big XII Planning Committee received a $1,500 grant to support the 27th annual Big XII Conference on Black Student Government held in Manhattan, the Meadowlark Hills Foundation received a $5,000 grant to help purchase a vehicle for the Independent Living and Assisted Living residence, and the Ogden Youth Center received a $2,500 grant to help with the purchase of a van for the center. We are proud that we could make a contribution to multiple Riley County groups." said Tom Giller, Community Bank President. "The William T. Kemper Foundation and Commerce Bank are pleased to help fund programs that make an impact on our community."

University of Missouri students concerned with the problems facing black student governments created the Big XII Council in 1977. The council consists of the black student governments from institutions in the Big XII Conference. The council assists with recruitment and retention efforts for students, faculty and staff; community outreach programs; campus communication and participation; promotion of black organizations to member institutions; political awareness; and financial empowerment. The Big XII Council will be using the money to help fund the conference set for February 19-22, 2004 held in Manhattan.

Meadowlark Hills is a retirement community founded in 1979. The Meadowlark Hills Foundation was created to provide funding resources for the Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community to better meet the overall vision and mission. The foundation will be using the money to help purchase a new vehicle for those residence who are no longer able to drive.

The Ogden Youth Center was founded in 2000 with funding from the City of Ogden and a grant from Riley County. The center provides a safe, drug free, enriching environment for youths who are attending sixth through twelfth grades. In addition, the center has tutors available Monday through Thursday to help with the students' homework, opportunities to participate in after school activities and field trips, leadership training, job skills training and cooking classes. The center will be using the money from the grant to help purchase a new van to use for after-school activities and field trips.

The William T. Kemper Foundation, Commerce Bank, Trustee, was established in 1989 following Mr. Kemper's death. The foundation is dedicated to continuing Mr. Kemper's lifelong interest in improving the human condition and quality of life. The Foundation supports Midwest communities and concentrates on initiatives in education, health and human services, civic improvement and the arts.

About Commerce Bank
Commerce Bank is the principal subsidiary of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH), a $13.6 billion regional bank holding company. For more than 135 years, Commerce has been meeting the financial services needs of individuals and businesses. Commerce provides a diversified line of financial services, including business and personal banking, wealth management and estate planning and investments through its affiliated companies. Commerce operates across three states with approximately 330 banking locations and also has operating subsidiaries involved in mortgage banking, credit related insurance, venture capital and real estate activities.

For more information contact:
Tom Giller
Community Bank President
785-587-1583

Website: www.commercebank.com
e-mail: mymoney@commercebank.com
SYMBOL: CBSH

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