The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Local bank employees get a pie in the face as part of Harvest for Hunger fundraiser
Employees at Buckeye Community Bank, 105 Sheffield Center in Lorain, started a “Pie in the Face Race” challenge to help raise funds for Harvest for Hunger.
Four senior executives suited up with trash bags on their bodies as they prepared to get pied in the face by coworkers April 6.
The fundraiser began after employees were appalled by statistics presented by Harvest for Hunger, said Kelly Sawyer, loan operations specialist.
“The statistics for Harvest for Hunger are scary,” Sawyer said. “After reviewing those statistics, we knew we wanted to help out in some way.”
According to Harvest for Hunger, one in six Ohioans struggles to put food on
the table. For children, that number is more dismal, as one in four children are at risk of going hungry.
A visit to a local food bank last year also sparked the interest of Buckeye Community employees, Sawyer said.
“In 2016, we went to a food bank and our employees really enjoyed helping
out,” she said. “It hit close to home for some.”
As part of the challenge, employees were to fill four jugs, each one representing the senior executives, with money. Whichever jug received the most money determined who would get pied in the face.
Ben Norton, vice president and chief operations officer, winner of the challenge could not be happier with the work employees did.
“The staff did a great job with the fundraiser,” Norton said. “It’s a blessing to be apart of this and help out those in need.”
In the end, the three remaining senior executives received a pie in the face as well, Norton said.
Employees raised $547 and the bank contributed $1,000.
In addition, the employees received a last minute donation from Samantha Abraham, chief financial officer for a total of $2,115 for Harvest for Hunger, which equates to 8,463 meals here locally.
“We want to help the community,” Sawyer said. “We are just happy to be able to relieve some stress for people struggling to provide food.”