The Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center has received a $5,000 grant from Wells Fargo in support of the ArtBridges Education Initiative 2013 and their shared goals in the community.

Ben Norman, Wells Fargo district manager, Montgomery, and Josef Hegedus, Troy store manager, presented the grant to the Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center Thursday, flanked by 26 teachers who are participating in the ArtBridges 2013 program.

“We are extremely grateful for the generous donation from Wells Fargo and its continued support of the ArtBridges program,” said Morgan Drinkard, center executive director. “Wells Fargo has doubled its grant funding to the Art Bridges program. That reaffirms that Wells Fargo believes in what we do. Having Ben Norman and Josef Hegedus here today to present the grant demonstrates that Wells Fargo not only supports us financially but also is a part of what we do. We are very appreciative of their support.”

Wiley White, center development coordinator, also expressed appreciation for the grant funds.

“Wells Fargo has been so forthcoming in helping with our ArtBridges program for several years,” she said. “We really appreciate their support. Wells Fargo obviously realizes the importance of arts education to our community. Education is important and this grant means a great deal to our community.”

Hegedus said that Wells Fargo is proud to support organizations working to strengthen their communities.

“Through the efforts of our enthusiastic team member-volunteers and our contributions, we share our success within our communities by giving back to non-profits and educational institutions that address vital community needs and issues,” Hegedus said. “We direct our giving to areas that we believe are important to the future of our nation’s vitality and success – community development, education and human services”

In 2012, Wells Fargo invested $315.8 million in 19,500 nonprofit organizations to support education, the environment, human services, community development, civic initiatives and arts and culture.

“Our team members are leaders,” Hegedus said. “They give their time to teach money management skills, build homes, mentor youth, fundraise and serve on nonprofit boards. In 2012, our team members recorded 1.5 million volunteer hours in our ‘My Volunteer Time’ tracking pool. This is equivalent to giving $32.7 million to support our communities.”

Hegedus said that community reinvestment is an integral part of the Wells Fargo business culture.

“Wells Fargo has long understood that we can be no stronger, nor more successful, than the neighborhoods and communities where we do business,” he said.

“Supporting our communities allows us to better meet our customers’ financial needs and helps us to achieve our goal to be one of America’s best companies.”