Bank of Canton donates $14,500 to food pantry

Bank of Canton has donated $14,500 to the Canton Food Pantry at a critical time when demand has increased and both food and financial donations have dropped.

L-R: Food Pantry Co-Director Cindy Poshkus, Food Pantry Supervisor Mary Buckley, volunteer Jim Long, Bank of Canton President Stephen P. Costello, and Steven Rotella, member of the board of directors for the Canton Area Helpline and Bank of Canton

Through its Affinity Credit Card Program, Bank of Canton earmarks a portion of net purchases and cash advances from this customer credit card to benefit local nonprofit organizations. The Canton Food Pantry has been the major recipient of the bank’s $121,500 cumulative donations to the town of Canton.

“With more people requesting help, we feel a responsibility to significantly boost our support of the Canton Food Pantry to help those in need through these difficult times,” said Steven Rotella, who serves on the board of directors of both the Canton Area Helpline, sponsor of the Canton Food Pantry, and Bank of Canton. “We are proud to partner with such a vital organization.”

Cindy Poshkus, co-director of the Canton Food Pantry and a volunteer, said that food and cash donations to the food pantry have decreased 13 percent over 2012.

“We are very grateful to Bank of Canton for its generous donation,” she said. “More individuals and families have signed up for help from the Canton Food Pantry, and it’s been a challenge to meet their needs with the drop in donations.”

The all-volunteer organization picks up fresh produce at local farms and receives a wide variety of donations from area supermarkets, Edible Arrangements and Crescent Ridge. Household goods and personal care items are also donated, she said.

“Bank of Canton has a deep commitment to reinvesting in the community where we do our business,” said Stephen P. Costello, president and CEO. “Everyone who becomes a credit card customer of ours is also supporting the community through this unique program.”

In addition to the Affinity Card Program, Bank of Canton provides drop boxes for nonperishable food, personal care items and household products at its Canton branches at 557 Washington Street and 259 Turnpike Street. Financial donations to the Canton Food Pantry may be mailed to P.O. Box 202, Canton, MA 02021.

Nonperishable items may also be left at the food pantry, located at 960R Washington Street (in the back of the Marilyn G. Rodman Center) on Mondays from 7-9 a.m. It is open from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. on Tuesdays for senior citizens and from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. on Wednesdays for all others. It is also open the first Saturday of the month from 10 to 10:30 a.m. for all recipients. The pantry is staffed entirely by volunteers who wish to help their fellow townspeople by providing a basic human necessity.

Founded in 1835, Bank of Canton supports a wide range of nonprofit organizations throughout the Canton area with direct donations in addition to its Affinity Card program.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Nov 21 2013. Filed under Business. Both comments and pings are currently closed.