YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The pending merger of Home Savings Bank and First Federal Bank of Defiance will not impact the bank's long-standing charitable foundation, a foundation that has donated more than $17 million over the last 30 years.

Established in 1991, the Home Savings Foundation has been generous in its donations to worthy programs and organizations that make life better in the valley. $60,000 to The United Way, $25,000 to the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, $5,000  to Lakeview Schools.  

CEO Gary Small says the merger agreement included language to maintain the foundation without interruption.

"The commitment is still there, and the goal is that the valley would feel no ill effects of the fact that we're expanding as an organization."

Small says donations can range from a thousand dollars to much larger contributions. 

"An example would be our participation with the YMCA and the remodeling and expansion downtown a couple of years ago.  And with the amphitheater, we made a ten-year commitment for half a million dollars," Small said.

For non-profits like the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, they couldn't full fill their mission without the type of support provided by the foundation.  YNDC says Home Savings has been on board since the beginning.

"So through the foundation, they've provided grant support to our housing counseling program, to some of our neighborhood cleans up efforts, as well as securing vacant and blighted properties," said YNDC Director Ian Beniston. 

Small says the foundation is funded, and the team will continue to look for ways to do good things in the community. "It's been a real benefit for our organization, and we're hoping the community feels the same,"