Peoples Bank associates have raised more than $238,000 to help fight hunger through its annual Hunger Awareness Campaign.

Hunger is a growing problem in Ohio. In the communities that Peoples Bank serves, household food insecurity rates are higher than the national average and many individuals and families make spending tradeoffs in order to put food on the table.

Peoples Bank knows that food banks are on the front line of relief for those struggling with hunger. Since 2014, the bank has conducted an annual Hunger Awareness Campaign; a successful bank-wide fundraising project with 100 percent of all funds raised donated back into the community.

“The Hunger Awareness Campaign is a way for us to commit to a long term fund raising project so that food banks may consistently rely on Peoples Bank as an additional funding source,”

said Chuck Sulerzyski, Peoples Bank President and Chief Executive Officer.

The effort is an organizational priority and associates volunteer hundreds of hours each year to ensure the campaign is successful. Multiple creative and fun initiatives are held to raise funds to help keep food bank and pantry shelves stocked all year long. Associates get into the spirit of the campaign with fundraising activities like “Buy a Boss”, “Pie in the Face” and “Send a Banker to the Barn,” where donations are collected to send a banker to help out at a local farm for the day.

Since its inaugural campaign in 2014, Peoples Bank has raised more than $238,000. The recipient food banks are all part of the Feeding America organization–a wide network of food banks that is the nation’s leading domestic hunger‐relief organization. These food banks also provide assistance to local partner agencies such as food pantries, community kitchens, emergency shelters, and soup kitchens.

Feeding America estimates that for every dollar donated, their network secures and distributes 10 meals to people facing hunger. The impact of Peoples Bank donations has provided more than 2,380,000 million meals to its community.

One grant recipient, The Southeastern Ohio Foodbank, services 10 counties in one of the poorest regions of Ohio. David Keller, the organization’s Development Coordinator, notes that Peoples Bank’s contribution really helps support its mission to provide food to those that do not have enough, with a goal of making a positive difference in their lives.

“Peoples Bank has been instrumental in meeting the needs of the region’s hungry,”

said David Keller, Development Coordinator, Southeastern Ohio Food Bank.

The bank also provides additional resources through the Peoples Bank Foundation, Inc. In 2017 alone, the Foundation contributed $68,500 for food banks, food pantries and other hunger initiatives.

Peoples Bank believes in being a socially responsible corporate citizen by giving back to those communities that it serves. It knows that successful communities hold job opportunities, thriving businesses and economic opportunity. And, it knows that working to feed those individuals and families in need will lead to a healthier and more sustainable community for generations to come.

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