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bankESB Raises $42,000 for Local Food Pantries

EASTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS — December 15, 2025

Matthew S. Sosik, president and CEO of bankESB, announced that the bank’s fifth annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraising drive raised $42,000 for local food pantries. This brings the program’s five-year total to $161,734.92.

The appeal is part of bankESB’s charitable giving program, The Giving Tree, which reflects the bank’s commitment to making a difference in the neighborhoods it serves. Throughout October, the bank invited customers, employees, and members of the community to donate at bankESB branches. All donations received were matched, dollar for dollar, by bankESB and the total divided among food pantries in Western Massachusetts communities the bank serves.

Each of these participating food pantries received $3,000:

  • The Best Life Food Ministry, Agawam
  • BUCC Helping Hands Cupboard Food Pantry, Belchertown
  • Easthampton Community Center Food Pantry
  • Easthampton Congregational Church Food Cupboard & Oasis Kitchen
  • The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Chicopee
  • The Hadley Food Pantry
  • Hilltown Food Pantry, Goshen
  • Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen
  • Margaret’s Pantry, Holyoke
  • Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Inc., South Hadley
  • Northampton Survival Center
  • Not Bread Alone, Amherst
  • Southampton Community Cupboard
  • Westfield Food Pantry

“On behalf of bankESB, I’d like to thank all those who generously donated to our Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraiser to help fight food insecurity in our communities,” said Sosik. “We’re pleased to host this annual appeal and that so much was raised to help families in need this holiday season and into this new year.” 

Easthampton-Community-Center through the Giving Tree, our charitable giving program.

In This Photo:
Jessica West, AVP, branch officer, bankESB
Robin Bialecki, executive director, Easthampton Community Center
Robyn Michaud, branch manager, bankESB

Westfield Soup Kitchen donation through the Giving Tree, our charitable giving program.

In This Photo:
Theresa Allie, volunteer coordinator, Westfield Soup Kitchen
Denise Clark, senior assistant branch manager, bankESB

In This Photo
Lunette Shaw, student volunteer, Amherst College
Chitra Amarasiriwardena, volunteer, Not Bread Alone
Noelani Schober, kitchen leader, Not Bread Alone
Bob Stove, program supervisor, Not Bread Alone
Deb Napier, administrative volunteer, Not Bread Alone
George Michelakis, branch officer, bankESB

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