Union Bank challenges other businesses to support food pantries

OTTAWA - Employees and customers of The Union Bank worked together to collect food items for area food pantries during the month of October.

According to Amy Laibe, marketing officer, the collections were held at all 11 locations including the Ottawa, Kalida, Leipsic, and Columbus Grove locations in Putnam County.

The food was distributed on Friday to the food pantries in the communities where the food was collected. This included 9 locations including the West Ohio Food Bank, which also provided food to the Putnam County food banks.

Food banks in Putnam County receiving food were the Ottawa Food Pantry, Lord’s Pantry in Columbus Grove, and Leipsic Food Pantry.

The Union Bank also donated $500 to each food pantry.

“”We’re challenging other businesses to do the same things,” Laibe said.

Sandi Racer, who helps coordinate the Ottawa Food Pantry, said the numbers of people needed assistance continues to grow.

“The last distribution had three families who had never been here before,” she said. “I told them that is what we are here for.