Area manager Alfredo Martin presents a big check to Milwaukee Christian Center executive director Karen Higgins.

Our February food pantry drive — part of the Bank on Kindness initiative to spread goodwill in our communities — raised over $23,000 for local hunger-relief efforts in Wisconsin.

Pewaukee branch manager Anne Kagerah and Food Pantry of Waukesha County executive director Karen Tredwell.

Last month, the public donated $17,236.50 to the drive, and North Shore Bank matched for another $4,500. Another $1,681.56 in groceries was donated for this year’s Race for the Hungry events.

St. Joseph Food Program executive director Monica Clare, Menasha personal banker Wylee Meinhardt, and district manager Kerri Collins.

Grafton teller Caroline Holzer, district manager Cristen Baumann, branch manager Jennifer Mantooth, teller Brooklyn Marti, and Julie Hoover, executive director of Family Sharing of Ozaukee County.

Wauwatosa teller Andrew Spann, branch manager Mary Rose Balzer, and Kyle Buehner from Hunger Task Force.

Area branch manager Mary Benz and Racine County Food Bank executive director executive director Dan Taivalkoski.

The funds raised were shared with nine Wisconsin food pantries: Paul’s Pantry in Green Bay, Family Sharing of Ozaukee County, Shalom Center of Interfaith Network of Kenosha County, Sussex Outreach Services, Food Pantry of Waukesha County, Racine County Food Bank, St. Joseph Food Program in Menasha, the Milwaukee Christian Center, and Hunger Task Force in Milwaukee.

Sussex branch manager Ashleigh Faith, personal banker Jessie Krajcir, and Sussex Outreach Services executive director Jennifer Waltz.

Area manager Mickey Adams, Paul’s Pantry executive director Craig Robbins, and Kerri.

The campaign earned us some grateful posts on social media:

With the success of this food drive, the bank plans to continue efforts to help our communities and will be announcing other causes and nonprofit partners in the months to come. In the meantime, be sure to let people know they can support the Bank on Kindness project through the online donation portal.