At Gate City Bank, community isn’t just a priority, it’s a part of their mission. As a mutual bank, giving back is woven into everything they do. President and CEO Kevin Hanson has long championed meaningful ways to make a difference, which is why their partnership with YWCA and initiatives like West Fargo Eats with Great Plains Food Bank are natural extensions of their values.
Their journey into food assistance began with a simple conversation at Lutheran Church of the Cross in West Fargo, where some Gate City Bank employees attend. Pastor Joel saw a need and approached the team with an idea: could the church’s attached shed be transformed into a pantry? That spark of collaboration led to the creation of West Fargo Eats, a community-run pantry offering food to neighbors in need.
What started as a grassroots effort grew quickly. With a desire to reach even more people, Gate City Bank, along with other community leaders, supported the purchase of a runner van. This allows the pantry to expand into Agency Enabled Retail Rescue which a program that picks up surplus food from local stores and brings it directly to those who need it most.
Gate City Bank’s support doesn’t stop at West Fargo Eats. Their impact is deeply felt across the Great Plains Food Bank network. From supplying bags and pens to coordinating team volunteer days and financial donations, their commitment runs deep. And it all starts at the top.
“The ability to make a difference is part of our mission,” Kevin Hanson shares. “We just saw this as a really great opportunity, and we are so proud of the partnership.”
In a world where partnerships can make all the difference, Gate City Bank is leading with purpose by investing in people, responding to need, and helping build stronger communities, one meal, one pantry, and one act of generosity at a time.