KENNEBUNK, ME – Kennebunk Savings once again wrapped up the year with what has become a holiday tradition: making a round of donations to local food pantries and meal programs. As part of the Bank’s $1.8 million in total giving to nonprofits in 2022, the holiday gifts of $30,500 were handed out by local Kennebunk Savings’ branch managers in each of the Bank’s service areas. Recipients of the 2022 seasonal donations include Community Outreach Services Kennebunks, Footprints Food Pantry, Gather, and the Seacoast Community Lunch program.

“We’re seeing a lot of people faced with not enough money at the end of the month for basic needs,” said Mark Jago, Executive Director at COS Kennebunks. “I was speaking with one of our neighbors this week—her husband became ill and missed three weeks of work. They got behind on their bills. It came down to paying for rent or food. She was so grateful that they were able to get everything they needed at the pantry to feed their family. We are grateful for the support we receive to be able to provide food and help diminish food insecurities.” His organization sees a 25% increase in the use of their food pantry around the holidays.

“The most important part of the holidays is bringing people to the table,” said Bradford C. Paige, President and CEO of Kennebunk Savings. “We’re a community bank and we’re here to serve our communities in every sense of the word. While our year-end giving is important, we understand food insecurity is not just an issue during the holidays.  As a result, we support efforts to alleviate food insecurity throughout the year with regular donations of both money and volunteer time.”

Photo caption: (from left) Hampton Branch Manager Kaley Gagne, Jennifer Flynn, and Amy Wood from Kennebunk Savings drop off a donation check to Paul Nicholson, President at St. Vincent DePaul of Hampton.