Representatives from the Citizens Bank presented the Vermont Foodbank with a $15,000 gift to support the work of getting more food to Vermonters in need. The donation will support the Direct Distribution Program at the Vermont Foodbank, currently serving residents at low-income housing sites throughout Vermont. Twice a week, the Vermont Foodbank staff and volunteers deliver 2,000 pounds of food, most of which is fresh produce, in a farmer’s market style.

“We know there are a number of people, many of them seniors, who could use our help but who won’t visit a food shelf,” said John Sayles, Vermont Foodbank CEO. “Maybe they don’t have transportation, maybe they are embarrassed, maybe physical limitations keep them from getting the help they need. Those are just a few reasons why the Foodbank is working with housing sites. We are thrilled to have the support of the Citizens Bank Charitable Foundation to get food to people who need it, where they live.”

Last year, the Vermont Foodbank provided food to 153,000 Vermonters. Through a network of 225 food shelves, meal sites and housing sites, and with the start of the Direct Distribution Program, the Vermont Foodbank delivered 9 million pounds of food, 1.2 million of which was fresh produce.

“Citizens Bank is proud to support the work of the Vermont Food Bank to help ensure that no one in Vermont goes hungry,” said Joe Carelli, president, Citizens Bank, Vermont. “Giving back to the communities where we live and work is part of who we are as a company. If the community prospers, we all prosper.”