Skowhegan Savings employees recently donated $20,000 to 20 local nonprofits during their third annual Season of Giving. Started in 2021, the bank’s employees annually select 20 nonprofits in their communities, by branch and departments, to give $1,000 grants to each as part of the program.

“The bank and our employees take great pride in being a part of our communities and this gives us just another way to show our appreciation to these communities, that support us year-round, by spreading goodwill at the end of each year,” said David Cyr, president and CEO of Skowhegan Savings, in a news release from the bank.

This year’s Season of Giving recipients included local food pantries, humane societies and other community initiatives, including the Winslow Community Food Cupboard.

The Jackman branch wanted to recognize the Winslow Food Cupboard, which makes two trips a month up to Jackman with its food truck full of fresh produce, canned goods and baked goods to donate to those in need in the community.

“We’ve been taking our food trailer up to Jackman for the past nine months, helping about 100 residents in that area per trip,” said Bruce Bottiglierie, operations manager of the Winslow Food Cupboard, in an email. “Thank you very much for the generous donation, we certainly appreciate it.”

On the bank’s fifth day of Season of Giving, the employees of the Norridgewock branch selected the Norridgewock Sportsman Alliance as their 2023 grant recipient. The association is a group of volunteers who work year-round to make sure that Norridgewock-area ATV and snowmobile trails are ride-ready for people to enjoy.

The bank’s credit administration and internal controls departments surprised Widows Sons–Sons of Hiram with the bank’s 8th Season of Giving grant.

The Sons of Hiram raise funds to donate to several local Masonic Lodges, which is then dispersed to local food cupboards and in the form of scholarships to area students.

Other nonprofits that received Season of Giving grants this year included Androscoggin Home Health & Hospice Services, Bread of Life, Camp Sunshine, Dexter Public Health Association and Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County.

Also, Kennebec Valley Humane Society, Madison Main Street Middle School Food Pantry, Maine Needs, Mallet School Food Pantry, New Beginnings Maine, People Who Care Food Cupboard and Skowhegan Community Food Cupboard.

Also, St. Peter Thrift Shop & Food Pantry, Sugarloaf Ski Club (King’s Kids), Sweet Dreams Project, The Rangeley Giving Tree and Waterville Humane Society.

In 2023, the bank donated more than $400,000 to local nonprofits and community initiatives.