Riverways Receives $20,000 Grant to Strengthen Support for Local Families

Salem, Missouri — August 12, 2026

We are excited to announce that Riverways Pregnancy and Family Resource Center has received a $20,000 grant from The Bank of Salem and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) through the Member Impact Fund.

This generous investment will help Riverways continue providing free, practical, and compassionate support to women, men, and families in our community throughout the coming year. 

The Member Impact Fund is a matching grant program designed to amplify the community involvement of FHLB Des Moines member institutions. Through the program, FHLB Des Moines matches $3 for every $1 contributed by a participating member institution, allowing local organizations to receive greater support for work that strengthens their communities.

Strengthening Families at Every Stage

At Riverways, we believe that supporting a family begins long before a baby is born. It means walking alongside a woman who has just received a positive pregnancy test, helping parents prepare for a new baby, providing practical resources, and equipping families with the knowledge and skills they need to build a stable future.

This grant will help us strengthen and expand that work.

“This grant allows us to strengthen every stage of our ministry—from the moment a woman walks through our doors with a positive pregnancy test, through prenatal education, parenting classes, and the practical support she needs to build a stable future for her family,” said Marcie Thomas, Executive Director of Riverways Pregnancy and Family Resource Center. “It enables us to serve more families and ensure that no one who comes to us seeking help is turned away because of limited resources.”

Through the support of donors and community partners like The Bank of Salem, Riverways is able to provide services and resources at no cost to the families we serve. These include pregnancy testing, ultrasound services, parenting and life-skills education, material assistance, and individualized support.

A Community Investment with a Greater Reach

The $20,000 award to Riverways is part of a much larger statewide and regional effort. In Missouri, 956 applications received funding through partnerships with 174 FHLB Des Moines member institutions. Member institutions contributed $6.5 million, which was matched with $19.4 million from FHLB Des Moines.

Since its launch in 2023, the Member Impact Fund has provided more than $106 million in grants, generating more than $144 million in combined support for affordable housing and community development. Every eligible application submitted to the program has received funding, demonstrating FHLB Des Moines’ commitment to partnering with member institutions to strengthen communities.

We are especially grateful to The Bank of Salem for choosing to invest in Riverways and the families we serve. Their partnership makes it possible for this funding to reach families right here in our community.

Thank You for Investing in Families

At Riverways, we are privileged to see every day what can happen when a family receives the encouragement, resources, and practical support they need.

We are grateful to The Bank of Salem and FHLB Des Moines for believing in the importance of this work and investing in the future of local families.

Thank you for helping Riverways strengthen families, support parents, and build a stronger community—one family at a time.