Berkshire Bank holds food drive
HALFMOON (Sept. 23) — When you stop a Berkshire Bank branch between now and Oct. 2, be sure to bring a jar of peanut butter to deposit. Or maybe some tuna or corn flakes.
The food isn’t headed to the vault, but it is for a bank: the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. To help publicize that September is Hunger Awareness Month, the bank is holding food drives at its branches in Massachusetts, New York and Vermont — including its branches in Halfmoon and Clifton Park. To get in the food-drive spirit, 16 Berkshire workers — including Halfmoon branch manager Lisa Porter — participated in an employee volunteer day at the Regional Food Bank’s warehouse in Albany.
Berkshire Bank branch managers Brandon Kot (left) of Clifton Park and Lisa Porter of Halfmoon hope for a successful food drive during Hunger Awareness Month.
“We sorted a lot of things. They do a lot more than just food: paper goods, school supplies, makeup — a lot of things people can’t get with food stamps.”
All of those items can be donated during the drive. What can’t be given are items in glass jars, perishable items and absolutely no expired items.
“Put food in the box that you would want to eat,” Clifton Park branch manager Brandon Kot said. “We want to provide nourishing, good-tasting meals for families.”
High in demand are staples such as: peanut butter and jelly; rice and pasta (including canned pasta sauce); shelf-stable pasta meals such as canned ravioli or boxed mac and cheese; canned soups, stews and chili; and cereals. Healthy choices — whole-grain, low-sugar and low-sodium items — are especially appreciated.
“Obviously, any donation is welcome as long as it’s not perishable or expired,” said Kot, who added that donations increase as the bank’s customers become aware of the drive.
“It’s a convenient way to give,” he said. “Our customers have to go to the grocery store and they have to go the bank. It’s a nice, handy way to help.”
The bank hopes to collect 10,000 pounds of food this year at its 48 banking and insurance financial centers.
“Last year it was our first year, so we didn’t have a goal. We were excited to collect 8,000 pounds,” as a company, Kot said. “That fuelled excitement about having the drive again this year.”
For more information:
- Berkshire Bank, The Crossing, 7 Halfmoon Crossing, Halfmoon, 831.8500 or Shoppers World Plaza, 15 Park Avenue, Clifton Park, 348.6523
- Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, 965 Albany-Shaker Road, Latham, 786.3691
- Hunger Awareness Month
