LEAWOOD, Kan., Nov. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Every woman should be entitled to a safe place away from an abusive environment. But according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. And unfortunately, too often there are not enough places for these women to turn in time of crisis. Kansas City is no exception.

For more than 40 years, one of the local agencies that has been shepherding these victims is Newhouse Shelter. Newhouse provides temporary housing and other critical services to victims of domestic violence and their children 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It is essential that the physiological and safety needs are met for all of those seeking sanctuary from domestic violence.

BMO Harris Bank recently announced a donation of $10,000 to help further Newhouse's mission. Due to the critical need to provide food for their guests, Newhouse will be using the funds to stock their food pantry. Providing the women and children in their care with three meals a day is an important component of their services provided. 

Judy Thompson, Vice President of Development for Newhouse said, "BMO Harris Bank listened and responded to our appeal on behalf of the women and children we serve. Their generous donation provided Newhouse with the opportunity to approach other groups for fresh meat, fruit and vegetables to positively impact our Healthy Food Initiative. We are so pleased that BMO Harris Bank supports and honors the programs offered at Newhouse to help abused women reach their goals of self-sufficiency."

"Newhouse helps to fill a critical need in our community," commented BMO Harris Bank Kansas President Brad Smith. "I am honored and humbled that we are able to assist them in their mission to help these special women lead self-sufficient lives away from their past troubles."

For more information on how you can help Newhouse serve the community, visit: www.newhouseshelter.org

About BMO Harris Bank

Based in Chicago, BMO Harris Bank N.A. provides a broad range of personal banking products and solutions through over 600 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Nevada, Arizona and Florida. BMO Harris Bank's commercial banking team provides a combination of sector expertise, local knowledge and mid-market focus throughout the U.S. Deposit and loan products and services provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC. BMO Harris BankSM is a trade name used by BMO Harris Bank N.A. BMO Harris Bank is part of BMO Financial Group, a North American financial organization with 1,600 branches, and a retail deposit base of approximately $180 billion.

About Newhouse

The mission of Newhouse is to break the cycle of domestic violence by providing the tools that allow women to make positive choices and lead self-sufficient lives. Newhouse provides access, admittance and residence in temporary shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children 24-hours a day, every day of the year. Newhouse takes a comprehensive approach in meeting the needs of the women and children who turn to Newhouse for emergency shelter and for relief from the crushing distress of domestic violence.

SOURCE BMO Harris Bank