EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – BankESB announced the kick-off of the bank’s 2022 Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraiser drive to help local food pantries.

According to a news release sent to 22News from bankESB, Matthew S. Sosik, the President and CEO of bankESB, announced the start of the 2022 Neighbors Helping Neighbors drive. This will be the second year of the bank’s annual appeal, which invites bank customers, employees, and members of the community to donate money towards food pantries during the month of November.

“It always comes down to where we can make the biggest impact in the communities that we serve but also where the greatest need is. So food insecurity always rises to the top on our list,” said Sosik.

Every donation will be matched dollar for dollar by bankESB, and the total raised will be divided among participating food pantries all across western Massachusetts in communities that the bank serves. In 2021, more than $39,000 was raised which means that $3,000 went to each participating pantry.

BankESB will offer those who donate the chance to win a $25 gift card at every location. Whoever wants to donate has until November 30 to do so, and checks should be made payable to “bankESB Neighbors” and can be dropped off at any branch or can be mailed to:

Margaret Prendergast, bankESB, 36 Main St., Easthampton, MA 01027.

The food pantries to be supported include:

  • Amherst Survival Center Food Pantry
  • BUCC Helping Hands Cupboard Food Pantry, Belchertown
  • Easthampton Community Center Food Pantry
  • Easthampton Congregational Church Food Cupboard & Oasis Kitchen
  • Hilltown Food Pantry, Goshen
  • Margaret’s Pantry, Holyoke
  • Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Inc., South Hadley
  • Northampton Survival Center
  • Southampton Community Cupboard
  • The Best Life Food Ministry, Agawam
  • The Chicopee Cupboard
  • The Hadley Food Pantry
  • The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Hatfield
  • Westfield Food Pantry