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2005 Press Release

ATTENTION: EDITORS / ASSIGNMENT EDITORS

Contact:
Neil Cotiaux, FHLBank of Pittsburgh, 412-288-2851, cell: 412-335-9488
Amy Ed, Hosanna Industries, Inc.: 724-770-0262
Amy Firek, Hosanna Industries, Inc.: 724-601-7557

BANKERS, BOY SCOUTS, NONPROFIT TO REHAB FLOODED HOMES IN ETNA: BLITZ STARTING OCTOBER 10 MARKS TEN-YEAR VOLUNTEER EFFORT

ETNA, PA, October 4, 2005 — This Columbus Day, a large group of Pittsburgh area bankers, Boy Scouts and affordable housing supporters won't be sleeping in.

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of its HomeWork program, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) is joining hands with Hosanna Industries, Inc., a faith-based affordable housing ministry, and boy scouts from the North Hills to help homeowners in Etna lessen property damage from Hurricane Ivan. The borough was especially hard-hit by the 2004 storm, and some homeowners are still trying to clean up more than a year later.

Starting 9 a.m. Monday, October 10, scores of volunteers from the three organizations will fan out across two blocks of Etna, descending into basements to lessen the effects of flooding as well as working above-ground to repair structural damage to both interiors and exteriors of several homes. Work on these flood-damaged properties will continue throughout the week and should be completed by Friday, October 14.

The FHLBank's HomeWork program, initiated in association with Hosanna Industries in 1996, has repaired or built more than a dozen homes as far east as Penn Hills and as far west as New Castle, including many in Allegheny County. Over the past ten years, Bank volunteers and family members have logged 332 days in time and labor to help lower-income individuals enjoy a clean, safe home.

This year, Boy Scout Troops 138 and 194 as well as Pack 157 of the Japeechen District of the Greater Pittsburgh Council will work alongside Bank and Hosanna volunteers, swinging hammers, dispensing caulk, hoisting buckets and doing anything else needed to reduce the long-term impact of Ivan. The FHLBank's work in Etna is also especially meaningful since the borough was named as one of its 22 Blueprint Communities this past August, making it eligible for community revitalization training, technical assistance, grants and other potential funding.

Media are invited to cover the kickoff of HomeWork in Etna and are encouraged to conduct interviews with volunteers from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Monday, October 10.

Work will be performed on properties along Sycamore and Dewey streets. For specific addresses, call Hosanna Industries at 724-770-0262 or Amy Firek of Hosanna at 724-601-7557 during kickoff day,
October 10.

For additional background on Hosanna Industries, visit www.hosannaindustries.org.