Citizens National Bank presented grants of $61,610.50 to fourteen non-profit organizations Wednesday.

The bank manages the W.R. Baird Charitable Trust, established in the will of William Robert Baird in 1978.

Baird wanted the income from the trust to go to organizations that serve the poor of Mississippi and Louisiana. Baird was a Louisiana native who later lived in Meridian.

"We think it's important that they have funds that they can count on," said Lee Meyer, chief trust and investment officer. "We don't know the amount from year to year, but we try to be very consistent in keeping up support of the good charities in our areas. And that helps them plan and do their work."

The following organizations received grants: Care Lodge, Multi-County Community Service Agency, L.O.V.E.’s Kitchen, Lauderdale County Habitat for Humanity, Mississippi Special Olympics, First Book, Greater New Orleans Foundation, Wesley House Community Center, Boy Scouts of America (Disadvantaged Campers Fund), Catholic Charities, the Key Chapter of the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army of Meridian, the Boys and Girls Club of East Mississippi, and Hope Village for Children.

Since 1981, it has contributed over $4.1 million to charitable groups in two states.