Bankers Across Maryland Join Forces with Maryland Food Bank to End Hunger

Banks across Maryland are collecting food donations in support of the Maryland Food Bank as part of Maryland Bankers Association’s (MBA) Council of Professional Women in Banking and Finance’s 2016 Philanthropy Initiative, “Embrace Life, Nurture Success.”

In recognition of Maryland Bankers Association’s 120th anniversary, the Council has set a food collection goal of 120,000 pounds by April 30. If MBA succeeds in reaching its goal, it would likely be one of the largest food drives of the year for the Maryland Food Bank. Participating bank branches and organizations will host their own collections and special events to drive donations. With many expected to participate throughout the state, the following banks and organizations are participating thus far.

• Bank of Ocean City
  
• Capital One Bank
  
• Chesapeake Bank of Maryland
  
• Community Bank of the Chesapeake
  
• First United Bank & Trust
  
• Hamilton Bank
  
• Homewood Federal Savings Bank
  
• M&T Bank
  
• Maryland Bankers Association
  
• 1880 Bank

“This year’s philanthropy aligns with banks’ ongoing commitment to improving the communities they serve across our state,” said MBA President and CEO Kathleen Murphy. “Our member banks are well positioned to exceed our collection goal to nurture success by ending hunger.”

According to the Maryland Food Bank, 1 in 8 Marylanders is food insecure, meaning they do not know where their next meal comes from—that is more than 757,000 people. The Maryland Food Bank currently distributes more than 120,000 meals per day and nearly 44 million meals annually. The food items of most need include:

• Breakfast (cereal, oatmeal, quick oats, granola/cereal bars)
  
• Canned proteins (tuna, salmon, chicken, beans, peanut butter)
  
• Canned vegetables (low sodium, no salt added)
  
• Dairy (shelf-stable milk, evaporated milk, infant formula)
  
• Fruits and juices (in light syrup or its own juices, fruit cocktail, applesauce, juice boxes)
  
• Pasta and rice (brown and white rice, macaroni and cheese, pasta)
  
• Soups and stew (low sodium, beef stew, chili, chicken noodle, vegetable, turkey and rice)

“We appreciate the Maryland Bankers Association’s willingness to take on our mission and help collect food for the thousands of Marylanders who don’t have regular access to nutritious meals,” said Maryland Food Bank President & CEO Beth Martino. “This initiative is a great example of what can happen when motivated individuals come together to make a difference in the community, and we are excited to be a part of it.”

The final results of the collective effort will be revealed at The Council’s Annual Conference on May 5. The annual philanthropy initiative aligns with the Council’s mission of giving back to the Maryland community through leadership and inspiration. Past initiatives supported Soles4Souls in 2014 by collecting 63,270 pairs of used shoes to help fight poverty, and the Girl Scouts of Maryland in 2015 by raising $13,137.83.

To learn more about the initiative and participating branches, visit MBA’s website. Please direct all media inquiries and requests to Josie Hankey at 410-420-2001 or by email at Josie.Hankey@FallstonGroup.com.