BANK ON KINDNESS

Races for the Hungry benefit pantries in Milwaukee, Menasha

North Shore Bank continued the tradition of supporting local food pantries with two Race for the Hungry events—one in Milwaukee and one in Menasha. This is the sixteenth year the bank has sponsored the community events, which challenge participants to race through supermarkets to fill the food pantries’ wish lists.

North Shore Bank covered the cost of all the food collected and donated an additional $500 to each pantry to help feed people in need in our communities. As part of our Bank on Kindness™ community commitment, we look for meaningful ways to give back and lend support to people where we live and work. We are, after all, a part of our communities. We’re advocates and neighbors, as well as a trusted financial partner.

Menasha’s event was held at a Piggly Wiggly, where $1,500 in food was donated to St. Joseph’s Food Program. 03345 Representatives from St. Joseph’s and the Fox Cities YMCA teamed up to race through the aisles. 

Community Engagement Manager Lacee Kalepp said the bank supports St. Joseph’s Food Program year-round, but this event occurs at an important time of year. “This timing, in particular, is crucial for them as they restock pantry needs heading into spring,” she said. 

In Milwaukee, Race for the Hungry was held at El Rey Food Mart, and nearly $1,000 in food was donated to Milwaukee Christian Center’s Emergency Food Pantry. Representatives from Milwaukee Christian Center teamed up to race through the aisles to collect needed food items.

Community Engagement Manager Alfredo Martin encouraged everyone to consider helping Milwaukee Christian Center with financial donations or nonperishable food items. “Our relationship with Milwaukee Christian Center, El Rey Food Mart, and the surrounding communities is crucial to us, which is why we’re proud to be in our sixteenth year of Race for the Hungry,” he said. 

In both Menasha and Milwaukee, the teams that collected the most food received a $100 gift card, while runners-up received $50. 

Race for the Hungry received a lot of great news coverage this year, including spots on CBS58 and Telemundo Wisconsin in Milwaukee, and Fox11 and multiple other news websites in the Menasha area. 

Thank you to all who helped make this event so successful!

 

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK

Customers appreciate excellence, friendliness of bank staff

Customers offered some extremely positive feedback about the warm, professional treatment they receive at our North Shore Bank branches. 

In the first comment card, the customer didn’t include an employee’s name, but noted: “The lady at North Shore in Appleton, Wi. was excellent!” In the second card, the customer calls out Community Engagement Manager Ray Guardiola as “excellent.”

In this next comment card, the customer expresses gratitude for the kind, warm treatment they receive at their branch, saying, “I enjoy our North Shore location! They’re always so friendly and call me by my name.” 

Keep up the good work, everyone! Our customers notice and are grateful!

 

EMERGING LEADERS GROUP

ELG provides opportunities to learn, build connections

This is part of an ongoing series featuring members of North Shore Bank’s Emerging Leaders Group. 

Business Relationship Manager Jacob Verhaalen worked for North Shore Bank for less than a year before joining the Emerging Leaders Group, an employee-led volunteer group for individuals growing their careers with the bank, in the spring of 2023. The following is a lightly edited interview with Jacob about how the ELG has helped him build connections and grow his skills. 

What connections have you made through ELG that have contributed to your success and professional growth?

All the connections I’ve made through ELG have taught me something. Through ELG I’ve gotten to connect with co-workers and members of the community and hear about their stories, successes, and even mistakes. What works for some people may not work for everyone, but it’s all a learning experience. 

What skills do you feel that the group helped you to develop?

I really appreciate that ELG has a broad focus and that different topics and skills are discussed so that we can become well-rounded professionally and personally.

Which ELG programming or events have had the most significant impact on you?

I enjoy the volunteering opportunities. It feels good to help the community and represent the bank, and usually, something funny happens.

How has internal/external networking impacted you since joining the group?

Since joining the group and the Commercial Banking team, I have learned to network with a purpose. Instead of making small talk and passing out business cards at events, I challenge myself to see how many meaningful conversations I can have. If through that conversation I can connect with someone, help them with something, and potentially bring in a new banking relationship, it’s 100 times more worthwhile.

What else would you like to say about the ELG? Any moments with the group that stand out to you?

The moment that stands out the most to me was when we volunteered at the Urban Ecology Center. We were tasked with removing buckthorn, an invasive species, in the park. If memory serves, we realized there was a little rain in the forecast, but at one point, it began to pour and pour. We all got drenched, and there was nothing we could do except laugh about it and try to dry off.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Volunteers needed for Fox Cities Kidz Expo on March 1

The 7th annual Fox Cities Kidz Expo will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 1 at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center in Appleton. North Shore Bank is the presenting sponsor. Community Engagement Manager Lacee Kalepp could use some helping hands for either the full day or half-day shifts: 8 a.m. to noon or noon to 2:15 p.m. 

This year North Shore Bank volunteers will be greeting people at two entrances, handing out the green North Shore Bank bags. The booth will feature large games and Polaroid pictures with selfie props. 

“We will have the opportunity to get out with the community more this year. This is going to be a fun year!” Lacee said.

The Fox Cities Kidz Expo has more than 60 activity booths, displays, and activities, play areas, an entertainment stage, face painting, demonstrations, food concessions, and more! Admission is free. 

If you’d like to help out, reach out to Lacee or check Bucketlist. 

 

SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES

Service anniversaries for February 2025

Congratulations to employees who are celebrating service anniversaries this month! 

35 years

• Kerri Collins, District Manager

20 years

• Loretta Bondi, Treasury Solutions Team Leader

10 years

• Nancy Arciga, Community Loan Originator

5 years

• Jennifer Skenandore, Associate Banker

 

What’s new with you? Share it with Shorelines!

Just a reminder that we’re always looking for fun and exciting things to share in Shorelines.  Whether it’s a special event at your branch or a shout-out to one of your coworkers, a great trip you went on with family or friends, information about a half-marathon you’re running, or even just a fantastic photo you took over the weekend, we’d love to share it! Please email shorelines@northshorebank.com to have your news included in a future issue.

 

Customer Loyalty Tip of the Week

Help your customers save money whenever possible. It will pay in the long run.

 

COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Discover events and activities in and around your community

• Lowering Your Borrowing Costs with a Grant Seminar | Saturday, February 15, 2025 (11:00 AM) | North Shore Bank-Community Room | 4230 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee, WI