In Malta, BNF Bank has embarked on various philanthropic initiatives in a bid to actively support the local community.
These include the staff-led initiative #YourCause, which plays an important role in the bank’s corporate social responsibility programme. Support is given to vulnerable individuals, families, youths and the elderly living with disabilities, and those impacted by social injustice, to enjoy a better quality of life.
These include the staff-led initiative initiative #YourCause plays an invaluable role in the Bank’s CSR programme. Support is given to vulnerable individuals, families, youths, and the elderly living with disabilities or suffering from health conditions, and those impacted by social injustice, to enjoy a better quality of life.
BNF employees are encouraged to support the Bank’s five major pillars education, health, environment, philanthropy, and culture and heritage. Ms. Lorrieann Vella, Head of Marketing and Communication at BNF Bank emphasised that “owing to the Bank’s community involvement we have continued to grow our outreach with the aim of supporting various cross sections of society, as well as shining a light on many NGOs who work so hard to raise funds and create awareness.”
In a concerted effort to truly help improve the quality of life of people and children diagnosed with cancer, contributions were made to ALIVE Charity Foundation, Puttinu Cares Foundation and Smiling with Jerome with the purchase of Chemo Bags of Hope to cancer patients at Mater Dei Hospital. Support was extended to Beating Hearts Malta to continue aiding patients diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and to Opening Doors Association to help ensure that the creative expression of people with intellectual disabilities is nurtured. Funds were also earmarked for The Malta Trust Foundation to purchase a custom-made assistive device for children with disabilities, including visual disability, the non-verbal and on the autism spectrum.
The Bank’s generosity also extended to Dar Hosea and FIDEM Charity Foundation to help build an accessible and trusted group of support, particularly for vulnerable women and children. Support to vulnerable sectors of society was also strengthened via a contribution to the Physically Handicapped Rehabilitation Fund (PHRF) andthe Malta Community Chest Fund during their annual nationwide event L-Istrina. Collectively, BNF also responded to calls for support from Soup Kitchen and YMCA to address the homelessness issue in Malta and to the Emergency Fire and Rescue Unit (EFRU) for their free of charge emergency aid. BNF’s generosity also reached the volunteers at Island Sanctuary to help cater for the needs of many stray and abandoned dogs in Malta, creating a more humane society for pets to live in.
In a concerted effort to help raise awareness of environmental problems and encourage action, support was extended to Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna and Din l-Art Helwa, two voluntary organisations that endeavour to contribute towards the restoration, and ongoing protection of our natural and cultural environment for now and future generations. The Bank also transformed the yearly Earth Hour initiative into a longstanding one via the introduction of BNF Lights Off, whereby ancillary branch lights are switched off from midnight until 6pm every day. In addition, through its support to local theatre and musical productions such as those from Teatru Astra, Teatru Aurora and Teatru Manoel, BNF seeks to uphold its pledge to incorporate support of the art and culture scene.
