Hannah Baleme/MDN First Western Bank & Trust and community members gather to celebrate Minot at Scandinavian Heritage Park on Thursday.

Rain or shine, members of the Magic City will come out to support their community.

On Thursday afternoon, First Western Bank & Trust held a community appreciation luncheon to give back to the community it serves. Although rain was pouring down, dozens of locals came to acknowledge and appreciate Minot while enjoying food, escape rooms and axe throwing.

The luncheon also served as a platform for First Western’s “Essentials for Learning” snack drive, an initiative aimed at helping to provide nutritious snacks for Minot’s elementary schools.

“We are excited to give back to our community and show our appreciation as a community bank,” said Danielle Rued, marketing and communications specialist.

“Essentials for learning” is a program First Western Bank supports within the school district. A lot of students don’t have snacks they can bring to school, and they want kids to have the fuel they need to be able to continue learning.

“We cater things like granola bars, applesauce – anything in a quick package we can provide that kids don’t have. They are all donated items,” Rued said.

“We are immensely grateful for the support of the Minot community and trust you’ve put in First Western Bank & Trust over the years. This event is our way of giving back and expressing our gratitude to the people who make this magic city,” said Brenda Foster, bank president and CEO.