Volunteer Spotlight: M&T Bank fosters volunteering and teamwork to support the local community
Local businesses play a significant role in fostering volunteering and teamwork within the community. Berks Encore and its volunteers pack and deliver more than 600 meals every weekday, requiring a dedicated team to ensure deliveries. Many of our volunteers are retired but we also have several employees from local companies that juggle their commitment to Meals on Wheels alongside their full-time jobs.
This month we are proud to highlight a team from M & T Bank located in Hamburg, who share their generosity and kindness with homebound older adults. Stephanie Jepko-Menapace, the Senior Branch Manager of M&T Bank, Kathleen Kochan, a Teller, and Mercedes Brewer, a Universal Banker, are committed to helping with delivery in the Hamburg area, sometimes once per week, or just a couple of times per month. Andrea Gebely, Strausstown Center Manager said, “Stephanie and her team have been a huge help and volunteer quite frequently making it easier to fill open routes.”
The M&T Bank team has developed personal connections and rapport with the clients they deliver meals to. Mercades shared, “they are so kind and gracious when you knock on the door to bring their meal. It builds a sense of community and belonging for one another.” Melissa Hovenstine, Retail Regional Sales Manager said, “At M&T Bank, we are proud to have our employees volunteer and be a part of the communities they live in and serve every day. It means so much for us to allow them to give time back to the communities who are so good to us. Our Hamburg team is amazing! They share their excitement with our entire team on a regular basis about how much it means to them to help such an amazing cause!”
Kathleen feels it is important to be a part of the community that she lives and works in. Mercedes likes the satisfaction of knowing she makes a difference through volunteerism. Stephanie shared, “I love Berks Encore and volunteering for Meals on Wheels. I could be having the worst day and then I go on my route and see what some of these people go through and they are so appreciative of us taking time to deliver their meals. Makes it all worthwhile!”
Berks Encore is grateful for Stephanie, Kathleen and Mercedes and the support provided by M&T Bank. All three of these ladies volunteer their time to help other local non-profit organizations including Hamburg Area Education Foundation, Tilden Youth Baseball, St. Mary’s in Hamburg, and the Keystone Military Families in Shoemakersville. They have also volunteered with Berks Encore by providing their expertise in a fraud prevention educational workshop to local seniors at the Strausstown Center. They are truly making a huge difference in the community they live and work in.
Your company, too, can make a meaningful impact on the lives of homebound neighbors in your area. As the adage goes, “the life you change may be your own.” Partnering with Berks Encore for Meals on Wheels or exploring other avenues of support for Berks Encore can profoundly enrich your community involvement. For those eager to learn more, please reach out to Michelle Goodhart, Volunteer Coordinator, at 610-374-3195 ext. 225. Together, let’s make a difference!
