PeoplesBank Charitable Giving Featured in the Republican/Masslive

Charity is alive and well in Western Massachusetts (Editorial)

By The Republican Editorials

PeoplesBank’s Cindy Wszolek, cash management officer, and Chrissy Kiddy vice president corporate responsibility and social media marketing, read to the children of Square One. The nonprofit is one of many organizations supported by record donations by PeoplesBank in 2022.

Not every need can be serviced through government assistance or individual commitment.

Charitable giving can tip the scales to support individuals, nonprofits and programs that helps organizations and people who might otherwise be unable to make ends meet, or make good things happen.

One good example of many in the local region is PeoplesBank, which upped its donation level in 2022 to $2.3 million, an all-time record for the institution.

The bank increased its donation level by $1 million over 2021. Every dollar went to people or organizations that needed help. One new avenue was home heating assistance, a burden on many families in Western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut.

It’s been said many times before, but the COVID-19 pandemic unmasked many needs that existed before the virus and were accentuated during its crisis period. Nonprofits helped people get through that period, and charitable giving in general showed a surge during the pandemic - a true example of people coming together in time of need, and giving their best effort and commitment when the need is greatest.

Institutions have that responsibility as well. Corporations, chains, financial institutions and businesses of all kinds can serve their community in ways beyond what they offer in goods or services.

The past several years, in particular, underscored their willingness and awareness to do that.

In addition to home heating assistance, PeoplesBank supported OneHolyoke, Square One, Revitalize CDC, Girls Inc., and other valuable organizations.

The bank also called upon its staff to pitch in. The 300 associates at PeoplesBank recorded 9,000 hours of community service.

That’s an invaluable infusion of talent and participation. Those 9,000 hours of service would otherwise require paid staff, or more likely, not be done at all.

Advertisements for financial institutions uniformly emphasize their connection and partnerships with their customers and communities. It’s important they follow that credo, and they’ve been doing that, with PeoplesBank just one of many at the forefront.

As the region continues into the post-pandemic period, the needs the virus exposed will not go away. It’s important the business and corporate community keeps in mind that the work is ongoing, and that dollars spend in charitable giving and donations are not gifts, but investments for a better and healthier region overall.

This editorial and image originally appeared in the Republican/Masslive.

About: PeoplesBank is a leader in innovation, corporate responsibility, environmental sustainability, and employee engagement. Our three LEED® certified offices are environmentally friendly, and we have financed more than $188 million in wind, hydroelectric, and solar energy projects.

As the largest community bank in the market, we have a unique ability to help the communities we serve through volunteer efforts and millions of dollars in donations to charitable and civic causes.

PeoplesBank is a mutual bank and therefore is responsible to our depositors, employees, and the community. This organizational structure allows us to focus on the long-term viability of the bank and the best interests of our customers. We currently have 20 banking centers located in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Media Contact
Matthew Bannister, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Corporate Responsibility, PeoplesBank
413.493.8704
[email protected]