West Shore Bank Spirit of Giving raises over $5,000

LUDINGTON — West Shore Bank, in partnership with Shop-N-Save of Ludington, Hansen Foods of Hart and Oleson’s Foods in Manistee is helping to distribute 451 meals in Mason, Oceana and Manistee counties this holiday season as part of the bank’s Spirit of Giving campaign.

For three weeks the bank collected funds from employees, residents and businesses at its local branch offices. Arrangements were made and coordinated with each partner grocery store to purchase a complete meal at a special price.

“The bank staff and I appreciate the individuals and businesses that supported this cause,” President and CEO Ray Biggs said. “Helping those struggling in our own community during the holiday season is what makes this Spirit of Giving effort so important. We’re committed to finding ways we can make a difference in our local communities and providing a meal at Christmas is one way we can do that.”

A total of $5,710 was raised, which included $2,000 matched by West Shore Bank. Mason County collected the most with $2,090 with a $1,000 match from the bank. Oceana County collected $726 and the bank contributed $500 while Manistee County collected $894 with the bank contributing another $500.

Certificates were distributed to several agencies and ministries that will then purchase the meals and distribute them. Those agencies, with representatives in the above photograph, included:

Mason County: Harbor Light Fellowship, Salvation Army (partnering with St. Simon Parish), COVE, Five-CAP, St. Jerome/St. Mary parishes, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Bachelor Evangelical Covenant Church of Sheridan Township and Free Soil United Methodist Church.

Oceana County: Trinity Lutheran Food Pantry, Shelby; Bread of Life Pantry of Hart and Walkervill Wesleyan.

Manistee County: Salvation Army/Holiday HOPE Team.