OXFORD– Robert J. Morton, president and CEO of bankHometown, announced that the bank’s 18th annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraising drive raised $39,200 for local food pantries. This brings the total amount raised over the 18 years the program has been in place to $264,900.

The annual appeal is part of bankHometown’s charitable giving program, called The Giving Tree, which reflects the bank’s commitment to making a real difference in the neighborhoods it serves. Throughout the month of November, the bank invited customers, employees, and members of the community to donate funds at bankHometown branches. All donations received were matched, dollar for dollar, by bankHometown and the total divided among food pantries in Central Massachusetts and northeast Connecticut communities the bank serves. Each of these pantries received $2,800 to help feed families in need:

Massachusetts:

•Athol Salvation Army Food Pantry

•Auburn Youth and Family Services, Inc. Food Pantry

•CARE Food Pantry - Clinton 

•Food Share - Southbridge, Charlton & Sturbridge 

•Friendly House Pantry, Worcester

•Friends of the Millbury Seniors

•Ginny’s Helping Hand, Inc. - Leominster 

•Oxford Ecumenical Food Shelf 

•Sutton Senior Center’s Michael A. Chizy Food Pantry 

•St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry - Webster 

Connecticut: 

•Community Kitchens of Northeastern CT - Killingly 

•Daily Bread - Putnam 

•Friends of Assisi - Killingly 

• Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group (TEEG)

“bankHometown would like to thank everyone who selflessly donated to our Neighbors Helping Neighbors campaign,” said Morton. “We’re pleased that these food pantries will receive much-needed funds in time for the holiday season.”