PERU — As part of Norway Savings Bank’s “Helping Hands” donations to celebrate the season of giving, team members delivered a $1,000 check to Servant’s Heart Food Pantry in Peru.
Based in the United Baptist Church of Peru, Servant’s Heart Food Pantry provides assistance to anyone in need of sustenance and support. The food pantry survives on donations of money and food from the community, local businesses, and Good Shepherd Food Bank. It’s a place and mission that has inspired Dan Bernard, application analyst II at Norway Savings, for years.
“I volunteer at the food pantry every Tuesday for about two hours to deliver food to six or seven families a week,” said Bernard. “We go to the pantry, load up the food, and off we go around the River Valley area. I also go on Mondays when we are closed or I am off to help unload the food from Good Shepherd Food Bank that we get.”
Bernard brings the food to some of the most vulnerable people in the area who do not have cars to pick the much-needed resources and are often physically unable to carry the items into the house. In the process, he is delivering hope and generosity along with the food.
“During the pandemic, my wife and I looked for an outlet for volunteerism as school-based volunteering had gone away. We fell in love with it immediately. The feeling I get when we bring food to people who have barely anything is incredible,” said Bernard. “We receive sincere gratitude from these folks that we deliver to.”
There is always a need for more helping hands, particularly as volunteers get older.
“Anyone who wants to help tackle this problem, roll up your sleeves,” said Bernard.
To volunteer at the food pantry, call 207-562-8356.
Founded in 1866, Norway Savings Bank is a leading mutual banking and financial services company headquartered in Norway, Maine. As of September 30, 2024, Norway Savings Bank had $1.981 billion in total assets; 24 branch locations; and divisions in trust and investment services, personal banking, and business banking. It has received an “Outstanding” rating for three consecutive Community Reinvestment Act Exams from the FDIC. Norway Savings has also received the Best Place for Working Parents designation in 2022, 2023, and 2024, and was recognized with the “Best Wellness Employer – Gold Certification” for the sixth year in a row by Wellness Workdays. BauerFinancial has designated the Bank the “Best of Bauer” for earning and maintaining its highest 5-star rating for 34 continuous years. For more information, visit www.norwaysavings.bank.
