By Chuck Sulerzyski

Those in our community who face hunger aren’t always who you think they are. Hunger can affect anyone, at any stage of life.

Did you know 1 in 6 people struggle with having adequate food to eat each day? Everyday people in our community have to choose between buying groceries, paying a bill, or having enough for child care. These people are our neighbors, friends, and family. They are often college students, senior citizens, co-workers, and school children.

At Peoples Bank, our company is built on the promise of helping people. We help because we are committed to fostering excellence within our communities. Eradicating hunger throughout the communities we call home in Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia is a particularly personal initiative.

Hunger and poor nutrition are a growing problem in the region, especially among families with children. More than 24 percent of children and nearly 16 percent of individuals within our markets experience hunger.

A few years ago, Peoples Bank helped form a regional Hunger Solutions taskforce in an effort to support local food banks and pantries. We have learned food banks are a safety net for people who experience hunger but are not eligible for government nutrition programs. Food pantries are a lifeline for many.

To quote the Food Research & Action Center, “Hunger doesn’t take a vacation.” With that in mind, we asked our associates to help us in the fight against hunger this summer. From bake sales to fun walk/run competitions, everyone is participating. Their enthusiasm has been contagious. Our customers, vendors, and communities are also helping. To date, we have raised more than $25,000.

This is truly a community to community effort. The funds raised in each community go back 100 percent to the community from which it came. Without the collective support of everyone working together, this could not be possible.

We ask you to join us in making a difference. Please consider making a donations in support of your local food bank and pantry at any Peoples Bank location between now and the end of July. To make the donation tax deductible, please give us a call or stop in so we can provide you the appropriate IRS information. We thank you in advance for your consideration and partnership.

Chuck Sulerzyski is President and CEO of Peoples Bancorp Inc., a diversified financial products and services company with $3.2 billion in assets and 81 locations in Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky. Peoples’ common shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market® under the symbol “PEBO”, and Peoples is a member of the Russell 3000 index of US publicly traded companies. To learn more about Peoples, visit www.peoplesbancorp.com.