We've been approached to be a collection point for Toys for Tots and also provide space in our main bank for them to provide a history of the organization. (We have a huge community wall - that would be used for this).

Do you think we could get CRA service credit for this?

Not CD Service credit...you are not sharing any specific financial services expertise by employees.

The only credit usually available for this is if the bank makes a donation/buys toys. Banks have then "enhanced" that by having staff manage the collection, etc. but the "hard" credit is not service as it is not financial.

According to our examiner, even if the bank pays makes an investment or buys toys, it will not count as a CRA investment. He says that food or clothing count, but not toys or Christmas gifts. I have a real problem with that but our examiner says that was an internal decision at the OCC.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

that is correct, now beyond toys and gifts, the regulators are also saying they cannot envision anything to do with arts and culture as being CRA eligible....

it's just nuts that low income families don't have needs met with services from art and cultural organizations....

One of the biggest problems with CRA - examiner personal opinion is allowed.

I wasn't able to get credit for lending and service for arts and culture either. I had an non-profit organization in a distressed area that provided free studio time and even went out and put on arts classes in the schools and still no dice.