Congressman Peter Welch joins Citizens Bank and Vermont Foodbank to celebrate new strides in fight against hunger

March 9th, 2018, Barre, VT – As part of their “Citizens Helping Fight Hunger” initiative, Citizens Bank presented the Vermont Foodbank with a donation toward the lease of a new truck to deliver food to Vermonters facing hunger. During a “Key presentation” event today, Congressman Peter Welch joined Joe Carelli, President, Citizens Bank, New Hampshire & Vermont, and  John Sayles, Vermont Foodbank CEO to celebrate the new co-branded 26-foot, refrigerated box truck.

“Thanks to the folks at Citizens Bank for their generosity in supporting the important mission of the Vermont Foodbank,” says Congressman Peter Welch. “Your leadership by example in Vermont’s business community is inspiring.  And your gift will be a big boost to the Foodbank as they work to provide food security to Vermonters.”

This new truck joins the Foodbank’s fleet of eight trucks that move food throughout the state. It will support the Vermont Foodbank’s work delivering food to  215 food shelves, meal sites, senior centers and after-school programs, and directly to families, children, older adults and individuals at schools and hospitals.

“As an organization striving to end hunger statewide, transportation is a crucial part of achieving our mission,” says Vermont Foodbank, CEO John Sayles. “Hunger isn’t an issue of there not being enough food in our country and in our state, it’s a question of how to get that food onto the tables of people who need it. This truck represents the link that will connect healthy, fresh food with the 1 in 4 Vermonters who struggle to feed themselves and their families. We are truly grateful to Citizens Bank for being a part of the solution and ensuring people throughout Vermont have the nutritious food we all need to thrive.”

“We are honored to present this new delivery truck to the Vermont Foodbank as part of Citizens Bank commitment to fighting hunger,” said Joe Carelli. “In our fight against hunger, we seek opportunities through our community partnerships to find local solutions which will close the hunger gap in our communities. We know this new truck will be put to work right away, better enabling the Foodbank to work with its 215 agency partners across the Green Mountain State,” said Carelli.