M&T Bank on Monday promised to donate $500,000 over the next five years to the Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association.
State Rep. Jared Solomon made the announcement at the Exchange at Oxford Circle, a thrift shop and social service agency at 6434 Castor Ave., in the former Singers Appliance store.
Solomon praised the commitment by state government, the nonprofit OCCCDA and a business like M&T.
“This is another great day in Northeast Philly,” he said.
The state Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program offers tax credits for donations such as the one by M&T.
Pearl Wang-Herrera, executive director of the OCCDA, said the money will be used for things such as education and employment training, internships, language and citizenship classes, financial courses and business corridor improvements.
“We believe in the vision of Pearl and her team,” said Randy Kunkle, an M&T vice president.
Others in attendance included Rick Vilello, deputy secretary of DCED, and Leslie Spina, executive director of Kinder Academy, a four-year donor to OCCCDA.
Spina said Kinder’s newest preschool, at Trinity Church Oxford’s parish house at Rising Sun and Longshore avenues, will be open by spring. ••
