10 Days of Giving Food Drive Collects 261,127 Pounds for 2023
News
Community
| 12.19.2023
The
10 Days of Giving food drive coordinated by Merchants' Winona locations ended its 35th year with a total of 261,127 pounds of food collected. The drive supports the food shelf programs at Winona Volunteer Services.
“We’re thrilled to see this year’s 10 Days of Giving food drive come to an end with the fourth highest total collected in our 35-year history,” said Andrew Guzzo, Chief Banking Officer & President – Winona. “On behalf of the Merchants Bank team, I’d like to extend my sincere appreciation to all who contributed to ensuring that no one in our area goes hungry this winter.
This year’s total was $119,157.72 in cash and 22,812 pounds of food. For the purposes of calculating the total, two pounds of food are counted for each dollar. Last year’s total was 260,374 pounds. The total for 35 years now stands at 4,807,938 pounds.
“Thank you to everyone who showed up this year. Your generosity was the perfect way to celebrate the drive’s 35-year history of caring for our neighbors in need,” said Co-Chair Ashley Harrison.
“This drive serves as an excellent representation of the care our community members have for each other,” adds Co-Chair Chris Thrune. “Thank you to those who gave donations and made the season brighter for many.”
Merchants collected donations at its branches as well as at participating schools, businesses and organizations around the area.
See the full list.
The 10 Days of Giving food drive is an annual community collaboration between Merchants Bank and WVS to make sure no one in Winona County goes hungry each winter. Since 1989, the drive has collected more than four million pounds of food helping thousands of people. In addition to the Winona drive, other Merchants locations partner with their local food shelf in a similar effort.