Renton’s First Savings Bank Northwest has partnered with the Renton High School football program to teach financial literacy skills to students in the community.

Conceived as part of Renton Coach Tim Tramp’s philosophy to use football to teach lifelong skills, Tramp contacted bank president and CEO Joseph Kiley about providing the support. As the two discussed what the bank community could do for the players, they decided that financial literacy would have lasting influence on the players’ lives.

About 65 players would be educated by 50 bank employees, who would volunteer their time during the course of six classes. The bank would also treat the players to a pre-game meal from a local food truck after the hour-long session.

The first class on June 4 was a success with Wise Guy Italian Street Food, providing the after study session meal.

“There’s a big difference between getting financial advice from a parent or teacher and hearing it from an actual banker,” said Tramp in a press release.

The majority of the students in Renton High School’s football program live in a geographic area of low-to-moderate-income neighborhoods, a press release stated. Overall at the high school, about 67 percent of the students qualify for free or reduced lunches, according to a district enrollment count on May 1.

Tramp notes that after graduation, his players will head to technical colleges and universities, while a few will take on jobs right away. He adds, “Most will be on their own.”

First Savings Bank Northwest President and CEO Kiley said that he can relate to sending kids off into the world and wondering if they are prepared to handle its financial challenges.

“What is driving my passion to build this program was realizing too late that I hadn’t taught my own kids how to manage their debit cards and checkbooks before I sent them off to college,” said Kiley. “Now I want our bank to share its success with the community by promoting financial literacy as a lasting way to support kids in our area.”

Neema’s Comfort Food for the Soul will provide the meal for the next class coming up in August.