Commerce Bank helps neighbors stay safe and warm with heat up St. Louis.
On February 9th, 2024, Commerce Bank joined forces with hundreds of volunteers and thousands of supporters for the annual Hardee’s Rise and Shine for Heat Day, raising $980,000 for Heatupstlouis.org, a non-profit that helps Missouri and Illinois households who are challenged by increasing utility costs.
Commerce Bank is now the banking partner of Heatupstlouis.org, and participated in the event for the first time this year, donating $25,000 to the cause. “The organization beautifully aligns with our mission to help people solve financial challenges so that they can focus on the things that matter most,” said Molly Hyland, director of charitable contributions, foundation services & government relations at Commerce Bank.
More than 40 Commerce employees volunteered at Hardee’s locations across the bi-state region, and many others brought biscuits to corporate clients and colleagues. During the annual event, customers can purchase sausage or egg biscuits for $1 each, as well as make donations, with all proceeds going to the nonprofit.
“We jumped at the chance to collaborate with this incredible organization, which is one of the only of its kind in the country,” said Hyland. “It’s a really direct way for us to contribute to our community, and it’s especially impactful for our employees to be able to volunteer in their own neighborhoods.”
Commerce Vice President Rachel Palmisano enjoyed dropping off breakfast for one of her larger clients. “We planned ahead since not every company is 100% back in the office, and the client really appreciated it. I feel like it’s a triple win: I get to connect with clients while supporting a great cause, and my clients get a delicious breakfast! I’ll definitely be doing more drop offs with more clients next year.”
Heatupstlouis.org helps with utility bills throughout the year, not just in the cold months — so they need support year-round. You can donate three ways:
- At Heatupstlouis.org
- Bring a check or money order made out to Heat-Up St. Louis to any Commerce Bank location across Missouri and Illinois and give it to the teller
- Send a check to Heat-Up St. Louis ℅ Commerce Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188
Next year the organization will celebrate the 25th annual Rise and Shine for Heat on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025, and they are already accepting both pre-orders and volunteer sign-ups. “With the extreme seasons we’ve been seeing, this organization truly does save lives,” said Hyland. “The more we can all do for our community members in need, the stronger we are as a region.”
Explore more articles:
Removing barriers to wealth creation with Commerce and Rung for Women.
We extend our purpose to the communities we serve by supporting nonprofits that work to increase access to economic opportunity. Rung was created to solve what we see as a systemic issue, not just in St. Louis but across the country: that women face economic, social, and health barriers to wealth creation.
