Mercantile Bank Social Responsibility

Mercantile Bank’s
Food Drive for Thanksgiving Baskets

Mercantile Bank is collecting non-perishable foods for distribution in local communities in the greater Boston area. This idea was originated in the Fenway Office by Lisa Williams in 2005. In the first year there was about 5 baskets distributed. Last year with the help of Caitlin Mattie in the Brighton Office there were over 35 baskets distributed in total between the two offices.

Over the years the baskets were delivered to needy families in Mission Hill, Roxbury, Hyde Park, Dorchester, South End, Brighton and Allston. Names are suggested by employees who notice a customer that might need a little help over the holiday. Last year Caitlin gave baskets to the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Claritas St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center. Mary Helen O’Hanley a Social Worker at St. Elizabeth’s informed us “Every gift of food transformed what would have been modest, perfunctory Thanksgiving meals into grand feasts of turkeys, vegetables, cranberries, stuffing, and desserts, just to name part of each allotment. Everyone responded with surprise and delight, some barely able to contain their astonishment at this unexpected good fortune.” Ms. O’Hanley continued that “Several of baskets went to cancer patients…What peace of mind you created when these folks were presented with entire Thanksgiving meals! Suddenly, rather than wrestling with great need, they were gifted with abundance. This was truly a gift of love for them.”

The Baskets contain a $25.00 card from Mercantile for a turkey or any other perishable items that were not included in the baskets. Customers and employees brought in all the other non-perishable items which included the following items:

Canned Vegetables-corn, peas,
carrots, potatoes, green beans, etc.
Instant Potato Mix
Stuffing Mix
Pie Crust
Pie Filling
Bread Mixes-Wheat, white, banana
Cake Mixes
Cranberry Sauce
Jars of Gravy
Cornbread Mix

Donation cans are also set up in the Bank lobbies for people who are not sure what to bring or do not have the time to shop for items. Members of our staff are more than happy to do the shopping for you. Cash donations are also good when it gets to the time for assembling the baskets and there is a need for items to complete the baskets. Donations of non-perishable food items can be made by bringing them to one of our three offices on your visit to the Bank. Donations will be collected from November 3rd until November 21st.

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