Pack the Bus 2026: Together for Schools, Together for Students

ABINGDON, Virg., Aug. 10, 2026 – First Bank and Trust Company and its parent holding company, First Bancorp, Inc., are pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the 2026 Pack the Bus campaign, an annual community campaign dedicated to helping local students start the school year prepared for success.

In its latest year, Pack the Bus brought together employees, customers, businesses, and community members across the Bank's footprint to collect much-needed school supplies for local students. This year's campaign included participation from 28 First Bank and Trust Company offices throughout Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

In addition to collecting essential classroom supplies, First Bank and Trust Company donated $2,500 to each participating school district, totaling $68,500 in financial support for local schools. These funds will help educators and administrators address classroom needs and provide additional resources for students throughout the upcoming school year.

"Education is one of the most important investments we can make in the future of our communities. Through the Pack the Bus program, we have the opportunity to help ensure that every student begins the school year with the tools they need to learn, grow, and succeed. We are proud to join our neighbors in supporting local schools and the families they serve. A backpack filled with school supplies may seem like a small gesture, but it can make a meaningful difference in a child's confidence and readiness to learn. The Pack the Bus program reflects the generosity and caring spirit of our region, and we appreciate everyone coming together to support our students as they prepare for a successful school year." said Mark Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Bank and Trust Company.

Throughout the campaign, First Bank and Trust Company offices served as collection sites for backpacks, notebooks, pencils, folders, crayons, and other essential classroom supplies. The generosity of local communities resulted in over 18,000 school supplies being donated to students across the Bank's service area.

Pack the Bus continues to demonstrate First Bank and Trust Company's dedication to making a positive impact beyond banking by supporting educational opportunities and investing in the future of the communities it serves.

First Bank and Trust Company, one of the top community banks in the United States, is a diversified financial services firm with office locations throughout Southwest Virginia, the state's Blue Ridge and Shenandoah Valleys, Northeast Tennessee, and North Carolina. The bank offers financial solutions through checking products for personal and business accounts, savings, money markets, and time deposit accounts. Lending services are provided through mortgage, agricultural, and commercial divisions. Comprehensive wealth management solutions are also available through trust and brokerage services.

For more information, visit Pack the Bus | First Bank & Trust Company or contact Marketing at marketing@firstbank.com.

SOURCE: First Bank and Trust Company