2026 Spring Grant Awarded

At Jonesboro State Bank, we understand the importance of giving back.  That is why we donate 10% of our profits back into our local communities. It's our promise. It's our pledge.  We call it Pledge 10.

Pledge 10 grants totaling $75,009 were awarded during the Spring 2026 grant cycle to the following organizations and agencies:

Jackson Parish Hospital Service District #1-Promoting Healthy Alternatives and Sustainability: $7,500

This grant will help install Level 2 universal electric vehicle charging stations in a 24/7 accessible parking area near Highway 167. Project activities include final equipment procurement, installation using a panel upgrade on electrical service infrastructure, system testing, and public launch. Once operational, the chargers will provide reliable public EV access for patients, visitors, staff, and travelers, addressing a critical infrastructure gap while supporting community health and sustainability goals. 

Jackson Parish Recreation District- Club House Chairs and Tables: $3,100

JPRD will purchase new commercial-grade Lifetime plastic chairs and Lifetime plastic picnic tables.  This purchase will replace all the old chairs and picnic tables around JPRD complexes.  Since the chairs and picnic tables are commercial-grade and made from plastic, it will increase the life expectancy of the products.  

Jackson Parish Watershed District- Public Kayak Launch on Caney Lake: $7,494

Jackson Parish is blessed to have the recreational draw of Caney Lake.  Many thousands of local resident and surrounding parish residents visit Caney each year. By adding a safe place to launch kayaks, this may encourage people of all ages to try a new recreational activity. People need a safe place to launch kayaks that has good public access to the water.  This would be a first of its kind in Jackson Parish. Kayaking is a growing recreational activity that many people of all ages can enjoy.

Jonesboro-Hodge High School- Girls' Flag Football Team: $2,837

Jonesboro-Hodge High School has started a girls’ flag football team. This program will help students build new skills, work toward goals and stay active. It will also improve fitness, time management, sportsmanship and focus. In addition, the team would bring benefits to other students, parents and community members by increasing support for the school, encouraging more participation in sporting events, and building pride in school achievements.

Jonesboro-Hodge High School- Agriscience/ Food Science Cooking Class: $9,450

This grant will help update the kitchen in the Home Economics building.  Updates will include countertops, ovens, stoves, dishes, mixers, and weekly grocery food items.  The grant will help foster students in professionalism, technical proficiency, and passion for the food industry within a safe, collaborative environment.

Louisiana Center for the Blind- Summer EDGE for Blind and Low-Vision Teens: $9,950

The Summer EDGE (Exploration, Development, Growth, Empowerment) Program is a three-week residential training experience for blind high school students that directly addresses the gaps described above. Participants receive daily instruction in braille, cane travel, assistive technology, independent living, and career education. Unique to EDGE is the use of “learning shades,” blindfold training that teaches students nonvisual methods for performing daily tasks like cooking, crossing streets, and doing laundry. EDGE integrates job exploration, workplace readiness, self-advocacy, post-secondary counseling, and work-based learning, helping students create futures of opportunity and independence. 

Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities- Prime Time Programs: $9,750

Prime Time will implement two programs in these parishes to impact at least 60 underserved individuals and train 6-8 educators with its turnkey evidenced based model. For 6 weeks, participants begin each 90-minute weekly session with a meal, which lowers barriers to participation and provides bonding time for children, parents and educators. Then, a trained storyteller and scholar read a highly-quality children’s book and lead a discussion on the story’s humanities-based themes. After each session, children are given books to expand their home libraries.

Montessori School of Ruston- Strong Bodies, Bright Minds Playground Project: $9,928

This grant will help install a toddler playscape and climbing stairs for ages 18 months-3 years and add required soft surfacing under two of the three structures.  The new equipment will support climbing, upper-body strength, coordination, confidence, and cooperative play. The toddler structure will promote early gross motor milestones such as balancing, stepping, and spatial awareness.  By investing in safe, age-appropriate playground equipment, we will improve safety, promote physical and social-emotional development, and provide long-term benefit to current and future children in our community.

Quitman Fire Department Protection District 1- Vehicle Extraction Project Extrication: $8,500

QFD’s Rescue Ready: Vehicle Extrication Project will equip responders with one Mighty Strut 2-Pack vehicle stabilization system, a battery-powered, portable tool designed to rapidly secure and lift unstable vehicles during rescue operations. Mighty Struts allow responders to quickly stabilize vehicles on their side, roof, or in complex crash positions using common cordless drill batteries, replacing slower, labor-intensive manual struts and cribbing. Immediate stabilization is critical before cutting or patient access can safely occur, as unstable vehicles place both trapped occupants and rescuers at risk. With controlled lifting at the push of a button, Mighty Struts create critical space to free trapped patients, reducing time to care during the golden hour. This equipment will significantly improve responder safety, operational efficiency, and patient outcomes while modernizing QFD’s extrication capabilities for today’s vehicle designs and mutual aid responses.

Trinity Methodist of Ruston- Weekend of the Cross: $6,500

Weekend of the Cross mobilizes youth and volunteers to serve these households through minor home repairs, yard work, painting, and other needed projects. These efforts help residents remain safely in their homes while addressing needs they cannot tackle alone. Just as importantly, WOC fosters meaningful relationships between volunteers and residents, strengthening community connections and reminding those served that they are seen, valued, and supported.