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Santorum, FHLBank Present $500,000 Grant to Bethesda Mission

HARRISBURG, PA, February 22, 2006 — U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) and officials of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) today presented a $500,000 grant to Downtown Harrisburg's historic Bethesda Mission to help complete renovation of residential units within its Men's Shelter.

"Faith-based institutions play an exceedingly important role in delivering critical social services to countless Pennsylvanians," said Sen. Santorum. "This generous grant — which involves no tax dollars — will allow Bethesda Mission to complete this important project and continue serving its clients with compassion."

The Men's Shelter provides housing, food, clothing and comprehensive social services for the area's homeless. Purchased by Bethesda Mission in 1934, the Men's Shelter is undergoing more than $1.8 million in renovations. The grant from the FHLBank represents nearly 30 percent of total development costs. Fulton Bank, an FHLBank financial institution member, is delivering the half-million dollars in Affordable Housing Program grant money to Bethesda Mission and participated in the event.

"The FHLBank and its members work closely with many faith-based nonprofits representing a variety of denominations and faiths in numerous communities," remarked John R. Price, the FHLBank's president and chief executive officer. "Each year, we dedicate ten percent of our net income to assist communities in the area of low- to moderate-income housing. The Bank and its members are pleased to assist Bethesda Mission in completing this significant project."

"Bethesda Mission is a labor of love for all those who are associated with it," said Bryan Yesilonis, executive director. "We are pleased that this grant will allow us to serve the most fragile members of our society with even higher-quality service."

In addition to food, shelter and clothing, Bethesda Mission also offers life-changing, faith-based counseling to all who seek help, as well as refuge for men at its Men's Shelter and for 25 women and children at its Women and Children's Shelter. Its medical clinic, social service programs, youth ministry, mobile ministry and food bag ministry touch the lives of tens of thousands of residents and homeless each year.