AUGUSTA — Kennebec Savings Bank recently announced $25,000 in donations to local hunger-relief agencies aimed at supporting families and businesses in its service area.
KSB has donated $2,500 to each of five local food pantries, which will be used to purchase gift cards from local restaurants and given to families in need. In addition, the Bank has donated $12,500 to Good Shepherd Food Bank. The money will be designated to benefit the Food Bank’s partner agencies throughout Kennebec County and the greater Freeport area.
“Food insecurity is one of the most significant challenges facing our communities during this time. Food pantries rely on ongoing support to meet growing demand while facing mounting challenges in volunteer safety and supply chain disruptions. At the same time, small businesses continue to see sharp decreases in traffic despite eased restrictions,” said Andrew Silsby, President & CEO of Kennebec Savings Bank. “Our goal here is two-fold – support local businesses and local families when they need it the most.”
KSB was inspired to make the donations by two Freeport Middle School students who worked together to raise money to buy gift cards for families who use Freeport Community Service’s food pantry.
“We thought their campaign was a brilliant way to give back to those in need while supporting local restaurants that are working hard to keep their doors open,” said Amanda Cooley, the Community Engagement Director at Kennebec Savings Bank. “We are pleased to support their efforts and expand it throughout our entire service area.”
Food pantries receiving the donations include Freeport Community Services, Greater Waterville Area Food Bank, Augusta Food Bank, Winthrop Food Pantry, and Chrysalis Place/Gardiner Food Center.
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit Maine, the Augusta Food Bank has seen a significant shift in who we serve – many, who like most of us, had never experienced food insecurity,” said Bob Moore, executive director of the Augusta Food Bank. “Kennebec Savings Bank’s support now could not have come at a better time for our clients and the local business community. AFB and the entire Kennebec Valley are incredibly fortunate to have KSB in our community.”
“Kennebec Savings Bank has been a years-long partner,” said Sandy Hammond, operations manager for the Greater Waterville Area Food Bank. “KSB gives in both dollars and volunteer hours, and we appreciate their generous continued support.”
Pre-pandemic, Maine had approximately 180,000 people struggling with food insecurity. Good Shepherd Food Bank believes this number could climb to as high as 250,000 Mainers, should rates of unemployment and poverty continue to increase. In May alone, the Food Bank purchased 370 percent more food than it does in a normal month and estimates that it will incur $6.3 million in additional expenses related to the first six months of its COVID-19 response.
“COVID-19 brought a swift and crushing blow to the progress we had made over the past 10 years to improve access to food for Mainers struggling with hunger,” said Kristen Miale, president of Good Shepherd Food Bank. “The Food Bank is thankful and impressed with the two Freeport Middle School students and Kennebec Savings Bank’s actions to help reinvigorate local businesses and provide hunger relief to their communities.”
