Comerica Bank helps Stafford Middle School students

Comerica's J. Downey Bridgwater and Vanessa Reed show students the cost of a Thanksgiving meal at a financial literacy event Nov. 16 at Stafford Middle School.

Comerica Bank, in collaboration with the Houston Public Library's "Mobile Express" computer-training lab, held a Thanksgiving-themed financial literacy event Friday, Nov. 16 at Stafford Middle School.

According to a press release, seventh- and eighth-grade students learned about saving and budgeting and how to effectively shop for a family holiday meal.

"We're so thankful to Comerica Bank for volunteering in our community and helping educate our students," Cherise Roberts, district Career Bridge counselor, said in the release. "After today, I believe the students have a much greater appreciation for what it takes for their parents to host and feed a family for the holidays, especially during difficult economic times."

Each of the 39 students enrolled in Comerica Bank's Youth Saving Program also received $50 gift cards to help them purchase a Thanksgiving meal for their family.

"We're proud of the dedication and commitment of these students to becoming good financial stewards and saving for their futures," J. Downey Bridgwater, president of Comerica Bank's Houston market, said in the release. "As a small token of our gratitude for letting Comerica Bank be involved in their community and education process, we wanted to say thanks by helping their families purchase holiday groceries. This donation of the gift cards is not a handout, but rather a hand up for a group of very deserving, hardworking students."

For more information about Comerica Bank, visit www.comerica.com.

For more information about Stafford Middle School, 1625 Staffordshire Road, in Stafford, visit http://classroom.stafford.msd.esc4.net/webs/sms.