September 8, 2016 - Camden National Bank partnered with Central Maine communities this summer to help raise awareness and resources for local food pantries. During the months of June, July and August, employees from the bank’s Augusta, Gardiner, Lewiston and Waterville locations attended their local farmers’ markets to help their neighbors raise funds to fight food insecurity in their areas. The bank set up at table at select markets, handed out reusable tote bags to shoppers, and offered to weigh their grocery purchases. For every pound of food a shopper purchased, Camden National Bank pledged to donate one dollar to a local food pantry. In total, market shoppers ended up raising $2,000 to help fight hunger in central Maine.
Employees from Camden National Bank in Waterville are joined by representatives from the Waterville Food Bank at one of the August markets. (Pictured L-R): Food bank volunteer, John, and operations manager, Sandra Hammond; Amber LaPierre, Christina Gagnon, Stephanie Purnell and Virginia Gleich (in back) from Camden National Bank.
“We were very proud to partner with our local farmers’ markets and our communities to provide this much needed assistance to area food pantries,” said Nancy Tracy, senior vice president, retail regional banking manager for central and western Maine. “In every community, shoppers were so appreciative to have the opportunity to help in this way, and we felt that it was important for us to be able to support our local farms and fight the growing hunger problem in our state.”
Camden National bank employees from the Augusta area pose with a pea and carrot from WIC at the Augusta Farmers’ Market in July. (Pictured L-R): Wes Huckey, Donna York, Trisha Harriman, Brookes Smith (pea), Janessa Smith (carrot), Nancy Tracy, Wes Littlefield and Brent Vicnaire.
Funds raised from the markets will be donated to the following agencies:
- Augusta Food Bank, Augusta
- Chrysalis Place, Gardiner
- Trinity Jubilee Center, Lewiston
- St Mary’s Food Pantry, Lewiston
- Waterville Food Bank, Waterville
Through the funds raised from these donations as well as those delivered earlier in the summer through its employee-run community outreach program, the Community Spirit of Giving, Camden National Bank hopes to provide meals and support to the more than 208,000 individuals in Maine who currently turn to food pantries and meal service programs for food assistance every year. In addition, through grassroots efforts like these and partnerships throughout its local communities, the Bank seeks to provide assistance to underprivileged children and families and help prevent hunger throughout the state.
For more information on Camden National Bank’s philanthropic and community efforts, visit here.
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