This is part three in our Garden Get Down Honoree Series. We are excited to be honoring some of our community’s most dedicated growers and fresh food champions at the Garden Get Down on September 22.
For Joe Stromei, Vice President of Treasury Management at Dollar Bank, gardening is more than a hobby; it’s a way to grow community.
For the past 13 years, Joe has helped establish and strengthen the partnership between Dollar Bank and Grow Pittsburgh. He’s even made it a point to hand deliver the Dollar Bank EITC and sponsorship checks, so we could get to know each other better.
What began as support for our school gardens program through Educational Improvements Tax Credits (EITC) donations, has grown over the years to include a Dollar Bank Foundation grant during the COVID pandemic, event sponsorships, Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) funding through the state for improved food access through our urban farms, and employee volunteer days. We’re grateful to Joe and everyone at Dollar Bank for continuing to grow alongside us.
For Joe Stromei, Vice President of Treasury Management at Dollar Bank, gardening is more than a hobby; it’s a way to grow community.
For the past 13 years, Joe has helped establish and strengthen the partnership between Dollar Bank and Grow Pittsburgh. He’s even made it a point to hand deliver the Dollar Bank EITC and sponsorship checks, so we could get to know each other better.
What began as support for our school gardens program through Educational Improvements Tax Credits (EITC) donations, has grown over the years to include a Dollar Bank Foundation grant during the COVID pandemic, event sponsorships, Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) funding through the state for improved food access through our urban farms, and employee volunteer days. We’re grateful to Joe and everyone at Dollar Bank for continuing to grow alongside us.
Joe has also shared his love of growing with our annual Seed Swap at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, where he regularly donates a large box of canna bulbs from his garden. “It makes me smile to see people so excited to take those home. Giving plants away and gardening both bring joy.”
That joy has nourished a long-standing partnership with Grow Pittsburgh. “We value what Grow Pittsburgh does,” Joe says. “Dollar Bank supports the community, and we see that you support the community, too. The way you grow and share fresh food and create community gardens in what would otherwise be abandoned, vacant space is appreciated.”
Joe’s commitment to community reaches well beyond gardening. He also serves as Board Chair of the Homeless Children’s Education Fund, as a board member of The Arbors at St. Barnabas, and he volunteers with Young Adult Survivors United.
We’re excited to honor Joe Stromei of Dollar Bank as our Rooted in Partnership Awardee at this year’s Garden Get Down for his strong support of gardening and sharing food throughout our community. Join us on September 22nd to celebrate Joe and the rest of this year’s Get Down Honorees, including our “School Garden Hero” and “Fresh Food Champion” awardees.
