NSB Makes Surprise $1,000 Donation to Servant’s Heart Food Pantry in Peru

PERU—As part of NSB’s “Helping Hands” donations to celebrate the season of giving, team members delivered a $1,000 check to Servant’s Heart Food Pantry in Peru (pictured below).

Based in the United Baptist Church of Peru, Servant’s Heart Food Pantry provides assistance to anyone in need of sustenance and support. The food pantry survives on donations of money and food from the community, local businesses, and Good Shepherd Food Bank. It’s a place and mission that has inspired Dan Bernard, Application Analyst II at Norway Savings, for years.

“I volunteer at the food pantry every Tuesday for about two hours to deliver food to six or seven families a week,” said Dan. “We go to the pantry, load up the food, and off we go around the River Valley area. I also go on Mondays when we are closed or I am off to help unload the food from Good Shepherd Food Bank that we get.”

Dan brings the food to some of the most vulnerable people in the area who do not have cars to pick the much-needed resources and are often physically unable to carry the items into the house. In the process, Dan is delivering hope and generosity along with the food.

“During the pandemic, my wife and I looked for an outlet for volunteerism as school-based volunteering had gone away. We fell in love with it immediately. The feeling I get when we bring food to people who have barely anything is incredible,” said Dan. “We receive sincere gratitude from these folks that we deliver to.”

There is always a need for more helping hands, particularly as volunteers get older.

“Anyone who wants to help tackle this problem, roll up your sleeves,” said Dan.

To volunteer at the food pantry, call 207-562-8356.