Staff help that community can bank on

HELPING HAND: Westhore School was one of 2014 Closed For Good initiatives.PHOTO/FILE

BNZ is shutting up shop nationally again for a day and sending staff out to work with community groups - and project submissions are open.

During Closed For Good, the bank will shut each of its branches on September 2, and up to 5500 staff will get stuck in to help community organisations around New Zealand.

BNZ chief executive Anthony Healy said yesterday he was delighted to announce that Closed for Good was open for 2015.

And he urged Hawke's Bay community groups to make use of the free labour and skills on offer.

"Last year in the Hawke's Bay there were 13 separate groups we helped, with 38 of our people putting in a good eight-hour day. If community groups had to pay for that labour cost, you could say we saved the region about $4480.

"But it's so much more than that. Our people love getting into the community and seeing their customers in a different light and making a difference, so please - tell us how we can help," Mr Healy said.

While people knew Closed for Good for projects such as fence painting, planting trees or cleaning up public spaces, he encouraged groups to think broadly and make the most of how the team could help.

"We want organisations to look at all the skills our people have and can share. We can help you by running a financial literary or scam-savvy workshop, or writing a financial or marketing plan."

In 2014, Closed for Good initiatives in the Bay, included:

-The Paul Hunter Centre - gardening and general maintenance.

-Hawke's Bay Multiple Sclerosis Society - collecting.

-Whatever It Takes - cook a healthy, economical meal of choice for 30 people.

-Port Ahuriri and Westshore schools - money-management lesson for students.

The bank wanted to make this year's Closed for Good the "biggest and best" yet, Mr Healy said.

"This is my fifth time being part of Closed for Good - I've planted trees and given money workshops to help people learn to budget.

"What I love most is that we get the chance to give something back and make a difference to our communities."