First Place, Food Bank Team Up to Dropkick Hunger
WARREN, Ohio -- First Place Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank are teaming up to help dropkick hunger in the Mahoning Valley with their second annual “Become a Soup Bowl Star” program, an effort to help feed hungry families in our community.
After the holidays are over, donations to the Food Bank tend to fall off dramatically, but the need doesn’t. The goal of the program is to fill bowls with hot soup through Second Harvest. “We appreciate First Place Bank helping us replenish the shelves after holiday food distributions,” said Mike Iberis, executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank.
During the two-week canned soup drive in January 2013, First Place collected 4,796 cans of soup. “We greatly appreciate the hard work of First Place Bank and the generosity of their customers and employees for donating 2,600 pounds of soup to feed hungry families in our community. This effort provided more than 1,730 meals to local families who need it most,” Iberis said.
Donations of canned soup may be dropped off at any First Place Bank location starting today through Jan. 31. First Place Bank employees will also spend time at Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley to box up the soup for distribution to 153 local food pantries the organization serves.
“As a community bank, we’re dedicated to strengthening our communities through both charitable contributions and volunteerism,” said Tom Shafer, First Place Bank president and CEO. “Across the country and across our Valley, hunger remains a serious problem for many. The need continues to increase, especially as some families have to choose between paying a heat bill or buying enough food. That’s why First Place Bank has decided to once again partner with Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley in supplying local food pantries with much-needed donations,” he continued.
“I’m also grateful to our employees who will be donating their time to help prepare the soup for distribution. By doing so, they further underscore First Place Bank’s commitment to rolling up our sleeves and doing something about a community problem,” he said. “In addition, we’re grateful for the efforts of the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley for the important work they do to serve hungry families in our community.”
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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