Third annual Stock the Box food drive kicked off by Centennial Bank
The Pine Island branch of Centennial Bank is teaming up with the Pine Island Food Pantry to help feed the hungry for the third year of the Stock the Box event.
According to Centennial Bank Pine Island branch manager Elsie Stearns, the idea of helping people in need is nothing new and always gratifying. During a campaign for Lee Health in 2020, she said her team of bank employees and customers were able to help supply snacks and nutritious drinks in the breakrooms of various health workers, who, at that time, were working long hours and needed some help.
“That was very successful and it was a good fit that worked well,” Stearns said.
She went on to explain that the bank has been a steady drop-off point over the years, given the limited Food Pantry donation hours.
Centennial Bank often calls the Food Pantry, she said, to let them know there is a full shopping cart of food ready for pick up.
“When they reached out and we talked about doing Stock the Box, it was an obvious yes, because, each year, we have exceeded the previous years’ total,” Stearns said.
The event is a great way to interact with bank clients in the summer months, when things slow down, she said, suggesting the event may help folks decide to clean out their pantries and get rid of things they’re not going to use.
“One thing I’ve heard through our efforts in the past is if people see a buy one, get one and don’t need the second one, get it anyway and make a contribution to the pantry,” Stearns said, pointing out that perhaps people will find they don’t need two of some items, or that a buy one, get one deal is too good to pass up and can help them with a contribution altogether.
Because summer is generally a slower time, Stearns said, it is most important to make sure the Food Pantry has what it needs to keep people going.
“A slow time for us, is likely a busy time for the pantry,” Stearns said.
She sees that the branch is a place folks can come Monday through Friday during normal business hours and drop off food, hoping to exceed last year’s goal, by letting folks know what they are working on, through word of mouth or on the bank marquee, where she often has notices or notes of celebrations for the community.
“It’s a perfect fit in the community to be the island bank and to be able to support the pantry and to be able to support the community through the Pantry. It’s a great partnership for us and I love, love, love doing it,” Stearns said.
Pine Island Food Pantry treasurer Diane Gleason and president Bonnie Potter are often overwhelmed by the generosity shown by Pine Islanders and other nearby locals.
“On behalf of the Pine Island Food Pantry, we would like to thank Elsie, her staff and Centennial Bank for leading this annual food drive for the month of August. The off-season is traditionally a slow time for donations, so every item collected will directly help feed our island community members in need. We truly appreciate your support,” Gleason said.
List of Food Pantry suggested non-perishable foods: cereal; crackers; instant mashed potatoes; canned vegetables; canned fruit; soup; rice; diced tomatoes, sauce; canned tuna, albacore; peanut butter dried beans; assorted pastas; Ramen noodles; pet food; and hygiene items
Drop off items at Centennial Bank at 5551 Sunset Lane, St .James City. Contact the bank at (239) 283-1618.
The Pine Island Food Pantry is housed in the Life Center of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church at 12175 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia. Visit https://www.pineislandfoodpantry.org/.
To reach PAULETTE LEBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com, please email